Storey, Caguioa lead Ginebra past Talk 'N Text

source: PBA.ph

The Barangay Ginebra Kings and import Awvee Storey ended their first game together with a good story to tell. Storey had a decent debut in the local pro league, coming through with 33 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Kings to a 97-90 win over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in the opening day of the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Mark Caguioa, Ronald Tubid and Jayjay Helterbrand contributed at least 11 points each as the Kings kept their streak over Texters in their head-on duels dating back to the recent Philippine Cup.

The two teams figured in a best-of-five quarters duel in the last conference with Ginebra emerging the winner, completing a comeback from a 0-2 deficit. Storey definitely had a big hand as the Kings made a triumphant Fiesta Cup start after finishing fourth in the all-Filipino tourney.

A product of Arizona State with a three-year stint in the NBA, Storey went 13-of-25 from the field and 6-of-6 from the stripe, and also got two assists, one steal and one block in 38 minutes of play. He more than held his own against Shawn Daniels, a veteran PBA import with three conferences played with Air21. “Storey is not that spectacular but he’s an all-around player.He’s got little of everything and we’re hoping he can compliment the team,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. “He’s a hard worker as he’s been showing in practice. Hopefully, he continues to be that way and really compliment the team,” Uichico added.

“Maganda result ng first game. But he’s now scouted so things would be different in the next games.” Storey got off to a good start and showed staying power, helping the Kings to a finish steadier than that of the Texters. Emotions appeared to be still high in the early rematch of the two teams that engaged in a passionate playoff series in the last conference.

At one point in the second half, Ranidel de Ocampo sent Storey to the floor on a hard tackle meriting a flagrant foul call from the referees. It would be remembered that De Ocampo himself committed an infraction that triggered a controversy in Game Four of the Ginebra-Talk n Text quarters duel in the Philippine Cup. Daniels, De Ocampo and Mark Cardona led the Talk n Text challenge as they fought the Kings through 14 deadlocks and 22 lead changes.

Daniels churned out 19 points and 16 rebounds, Cardona tallied 19 points, three steals and two rebounds while De Ocampo chipped in 14 points and three rebounds. Storey and Caguioa, however, outplayed and outscored Daniels and Cardona in the payoff period, fueling a hot charge with their combined output of 23 points. (SB)

The scores:

Ginebra 97 - Storey 33, Caguioa 19, Tubid 16, Helterbrand 11, Baguio 8, Menk 4, Intal 2, Cruz 2, Villanueva 2, De Ocampo 0.

Talk N' Text 90 - Daniels 19, Cardona 19, De Ocampo 14, Carey 8, Alapag 8, Yee 7, Castro 7, Dillinger 6, Aban 2, Peek 0, Belasco 0.

Quarterscores: 15-21, 38-39, 64-63, 97-90