source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com
Barangay Ginebra pummeled Burger King in the final half and completed a 122-104 rout of the Whoppers to keep its slim hopes for a crack at an outright semifinal entry in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.
The Kings, largely behind the exploits of JC Intal, Cyrus Baguio and Willy Wilson, went on a searing breakaway in the third quarter and sustained the pace in the final canto for the win that guaranteed them a spot in the Top Five.
Intal, Baguio and Wilson each scored at least 15 points as the Kings repeated over the Whoppers and finished with a 12-6 win-loss card in the double-round elimination phase.
Assured of a slot in the quarterfinals, the Kings even get a playoff shot at an outright entry into the semifinals if the Alaska Milk Aces lose their last two games versus the Whoppers Wednesday and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Friday.
Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, however, has conceded the slot to the Aces.
“I think Alaska can win one of two, if not two of two,” said Uichico.
Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes churned out double-double games while four other Sta. Lucia players chipped in double-digit outputs as the Realtors clobbered the Barako Bull Energy Boosters, 108-86, in the first game to stay in the hunt for an outright quarterfinals berth.
Williams made 25 points and 11 rebounds while Reyes put in 11 points and 10 assists on top of six rebounds and four steals as the Realtors snapped a two-game losing skein for and stayed right behind the Ginebra Kings (12-6), the Purefoods Giants (11-6) and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (11-7) in their battle for the three automatic slots in the quarters.
Marlou Aquino piled up personal conference highs of 17 points and three assists while Joshua Urbiztondo, Gabby Espinas and Joseph Yeo scored in double figures as they sent the Energy Boosters to the brink of elimination.
“I’m happy we won this game. I was really worried before the game since Barako Bull was coming off a win while our team had lost our last two games,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.
“But the guys stepped up and made things happen. With the win, we still hold our destiny. We now look forward to our game against Purefoods,” Fernandez added.
With a 10-7 win-loss record, the Realtors can force a playoff or gain outright quarters berth with a win over the Giants in their crucial game Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
“Purefoods is a foot ahead of us and they beat us in our first game in Surigao. But we like our chances. The key is for us to come into the game bringing our defensive mentality,” Fernandez said.
The Energy Boosters, meanwhile, suffered their 14th loss against three wins as they were badly beaten by the Realtors in the last three quarters.
Barako Bull bows out of contention for the wildcard round if Burger King beats Alaska Milk.
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