TACLOBAN CITY. -- When all seemed lost, Barangay Ginebra’s never-say-die spirit made things happen. Rico Villanueva scored on follow-up shot with 5.4 seconds remaining and Johnny Abbarientos made a key steal then sank two free throws to secure the Kings’ 101-97 come-from-behind victory against Rain or Shine Saturday night in the Phoenix Fuel-PBA on Tour at the Tacloban Convention Center.
It was an amazing comeback by the Kings, who looked headed to their second straight defeat after falling behind by 12 points with 6:23 to play but stayed calm and poised in their most trying moment.
Their eighth win in 12 games earned Barangay Ginebra a tie for third place with Talk ‘N Text and Purefoods with their identical 8-4 (win-loss) records, staying in contention for an outright semifinal berth in 2009-10 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup playoffs.
Rain or Shine’s latest defeat, their second in a row that was decided by 4 points or less, and ninth overall in 12 games would likely keep them awake for the rest of the night.
The Elasto Painters had the game in their grasp but wilted when the Kings made a fiery charge in the stretch.
Eric Menk turned in 21 points in his best game of the conference thus far. Ronald Tubid and Sunday Salvacion added 17 points apiece and Cyrus Baguio added nine forthe Kings, who bounced back from an 81-89 loss to Purefoods last Sunday.
Rain or Shine held a 97-93 lead with 1:21 remaining but went scoreless in rest of the way.
Salvacion’s follow-up shot of a miss by Eric Menk tied the count with 38 seconds remaining.
The Elasto Painters tried to regain the lead in the ensuing play but Ryan Arana’s runner in the lane went short. Barangay Ginebra secured the rebound then went to Cyrus Baguio, who attacked the basket and missed. But Villanueva, who was right behind him, tipped it in to put the Kings on top, 99-97.
Rain or Shine quickly called a timeout but in the ensuing play Abbarientos stole the ball from T.Y. Tang then made two free throws to seal the game after he was duty fouled.
Gabe Norwood led all scorers with 22 and Arana added 17 for the Painter, who enjoyed the game’s biggest lead at 90-78 on a basket by Norwood.
Rain or Shine still led 95-89 with 2:23 to play but they turned the ball over three times in their four possessions and that started their meltdown. (DBC)
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 101- Menk 21, Tubid 17, Salvacion 17, Baguio 9, Abbarientos 8, White 8, Villanueva 7, Wilson 6, Mamaril 4, Alvarez 4, Intal 0.
Rain or Shine 97 – Norwood 22, Arana 17, Cruz 15, Chan 11, Tang 10, Laure 8, Reyes 6, Dulay 3, Hrabak 3, Ibanes 2, Telan 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21;48-48; 73-79; 101-97
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