Ginebra snatch one-point win over Air21

source: PBA.ph

Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico did not hesitate to admit they were just lucky. The Kings salvaged a 101-100 decision past Air 21 Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum only because Express reserve guard Ronnie Matias missed a potential game winner at the buzzer.

“It was a lost game. We were just lucky,” proclaimed the low-keyed Uichico of the game that turned exciting in the closing minutes as the Express, who blew a 15-point advantage rallied from a 12-points deficit in the last four minutes and nearly pulled off a Houdini.

The breathtaking victory enabled the Kings to snap a two-game losing skid and improved to 4-3 (win-loss) record.

Import Mildon Ambers showed some improvement in his second game, scoring 26 points that went with his 18 rebounds. Eric Menk had 19 points and Willie Miller added 12, including two free throws with 2:10 remaining that turned out to be the insurance baskets for the Kings, who played the final two and a quarters without shooter Mark Caguioa.

Caguioa was tossed from the game with 5:07 to play in the second quarter for throwing the ball at referee Throngee Aldaba during a transition play.

“The team per se is struggling at this point. So every win while we are trying to find the right way is very important,” Uichico said.

The Kings looked like goners when they fell behind by 15 points late in the third quarter.

But things turned in their favor in the fourth as the Express, who dominated the game for most part, experienced some offensive meltdown in a span of ten and a half minutes that saw them missing 14 straight field goal attempts while succumbing to five turnovers.

The Kings capitalized on it. With Ambers and Menk hitting their range, the Kings outscored the Express, 23-3, to build a 97-85 lead with 4:49 to go.

Although the pressure shifted to their side, the Express still didn’t lose heart.

They made crucial stops and Ronjay Buenafe knocked in crucial baskets as the Express pulled to within 100-101 on a lay-up by import by Reggie Larry with 76 seconds remaining.

The Kings also appeared to have sealed the game when Larry fouled out with 33.5 seconds to play.

But in the ensuing play Menk missed a shot in the lane and Mike Cortez stole the ball from Ambers and quickly fed the open Matias. The sophomore guard took a shot from eight feet at the right corner.

The ball bounced off the rim a couple of times before falling out as time expired.

“We played a good game. Our imports played well. The locals also played well. The game was just stolen from us…,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao, who had his worst start for the first time since losing 10 of his first 11 games with Red Bull during its first conference in the league in the 2000 All-Filipino Conference.

Larry finished with 30 points and had 15 rebounds. Buenafe accounted for 24 including 6 for 11 from the 3-point range and Beau Belga added 13 for the Express, who picked up their sixth straight loss and fell deeper in the team standings with its 1-7 slate. (DBC)

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 101 - Ambres 26, Menk 19, Miller 12, Caguioa 10, Tubid 9, Wilson 8, Villanueva 6, Helterbrand 6, Hatfield 5, Cruz 0, De Ocampo 0.

Air21 100 - Larry 30, Buenafe 24, Belga 13, Gonzales 7, Cortez 7, Sharma 4, Rodriguez 3, Kramer 3, Ritualo 3, Williams 2, Matias 2, Alvarez 2, Billones 0.

Quarterscores: 26-30, 55-63, 74-82, 101-100.