30-POINT GAME ANEW FOR TUBID AS KINGS BEAT BARAKO BULL

Source: PBA.PH

Fri, 12/04/2009 - 20:11 — junior

Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand are sidelined by injuries and head coach Jong Uichico still has no timetable for their return.
Their absence though isn’t hurting the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
Thanks to Ronald Tubid.
The flashy point guard had another huge offensive game to power the Kings past the Barako Bull, 88-76, Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
After posting a career-high 33 points in Ginebra’s 113-104 win against Coca-Cola last Friday, Tubid sparkled with 30 points against Energy Boosters as the Kings improved to a 7-3 (win-loss) record and inched closer behind league leaders Alaska (9-1) and San Miguel Beer (8-2).
“Ronald is the type of player any coach would love to have on their team. He pours in his best every night regardless if he’s hurting,” said Uichico in praise of the energetic Tubid, who played with a heavily bandaged left ring finger.
It was the first time a local had back-to-back 30-point games since San Miguel Beer’s Dondon Hontiveros had 35 and 34 points against the Kings in Games 2 and 3, respectively, of their best-of-3 quarterfinal early last January 9 and 11 in the Philippine Cup of the previous season.
Eric Menk asserted his presence in the lane, turning a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench while JC Intal added 14 on 6-of-9 shooting. Johnny Abarrientos, who saw action for 29 minutes, scored six points and had six steals for the Kings, who improved their chances of making the semifinals outright.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the return of Caguioa and Helterbrand, who are both sidelined by knee problem, Abbarientos’ one month contract as a player has been extended until the end of the conference according to Uichico.
“Hopefully we could keep on winning while awaiting the return of our hurting players. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the team could be back in the pink of health sooner than later,” Uichico said.
Leo Najorda scored 14 points and Chad Alonzo and Yousif Aljamal had 12 apiece for the Energy Boosters, who picked up their seventh consecutive defeat --- the longest skid by any team in the tournament – and fell to 2-9.
Barako Bull, which has now lost 20 of its last 24 games overall dating back to the 2009 Fiesta Confernce, had not lost seven in a row since ending the last previous conference with an eight-game losing streak.
The Kings ripped the game apart in the third quarter by opening the period with a 19-8 run that stretched their eight point lead to 61-44.
Barangay Ginebra had the game completely under its control that Uichico had the luxury of fielding 11 players and all but one played at least 17 minutes.
“The guys really responded well. If we could stay focused we have a good chance of making it to the top 2 (spot),” Uichico said.
Barako Bull managed to keep the game close until the second quarter. Two free throws by Alonzo put the Energy Boosters on top for the last time at 36-33 with 2:33 remaining before halftime.
Then Barako Ginebra held Barako Bull scoreless while scoring the last eight points of the half to regain a 42-36 last going into the locker room. (DBC)
The scores:
BARANGAY GINEBRA 88 - Tubid 30, Menk 18, Intal 14, Salvacion 8, Abarrientos 6, White 4, Villanueva 4, Mamaril 2, Baguio 2, Kramer 0, Alvarez 0.
BARAKO BULL 76 - Najorda 14, Alonzo 12, Aljamal 12, Membrere 10, Hubalde 7, Chia 6, Belano 6, Faundo 4, Menor 2, Dimaunahan 2, Crisano 1, Lao 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 20-19, 42-36, 68-53, 88-76.