Ginebra gets back on track with 21-point rout of Barako Coffee

source: PBA.ph

Barangay Ginebra picked up the pieces after two jolting defeats, shredding Barako Energy Coffee, 107-86, after a slow start Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Import Denham Brown scored 26 points to go with his 16 rebounds and Mark Caguio accounted for 12 of his 19 markers in the second quarter to spark a ferocious charge that put the Kings in control.

“The first quarter was terrible. Good thing the players picked up their rhythm in the second,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, visibly relieved after their repeat victory against the Coffee Makers.

Their ninth win in 15 games cushioned successive losses against Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text and kept the Kings well within the Top 5, shoring up their hopes for an outright quarterfinal, if not outright semifinal, berth in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

“But we can’t play that way. Our upcoming games are very crucial. I don’t know if we still have a chance to make the semifinals outright. Regardless, our target right now is to get as many wins as we could to make sure we get to the playoffs,” Uichico said.

Enrico Villanueva had 12 points, Sunday Salvacion added 11 and Willie Miller contributed 10 and six assists for the Kings, who made 11 of 27 3-point shots and went 10 of 15 from the free throw line.

Eric Menk sat out his third straight game with a pulled calf muscle but the Kings still dominated the boards, 58-38.

The Kings shot just 38 percent in the first quarter and appeared in trouble when the Coffee Makers surged to a 23-11 lead on successive baskets by import Sam Monroe and Richard Alonzo.

Barako Energy Coffee held a 29-22 lead when Caguioa picked up his offensive rhythm and led a 17-7 run that shoved the Kings ahead, 39-36.

A basket by Paolo Hubalde and another by import Sam Monroe put Barako Energy Coffee back on top by two but the Kings quickly responded with an 18-3 blast for a 57-44 halftime advantage. The Coffee Makers never recovered after that.

Monroe scored 17 points and Reed Juntilla and Hubalde added 13 apiece for the Coffee Makers, who picked up their seventh consecutive loss and moved on the brink of elimination with a 3-12 card. (DBC)

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 107 - Brown 26, Caguioa 19, Villanueva 12, Salvacion 11, Miller 10, Hatfield 10, Tubid 7, Intal 4, Cruz 3, De Ocampo 3, Wilson 2, Ferriols 0, Helterbrand 0.

Barako Coffee 86 - Monroe 17, Juntilla 13, Hubalde 13, Dimaunahan 10, Reyes 9, Alonzo 6, Najorda 6,Isip 4, Vergara 3, Wainwright 3, Faundo 2, Duncil 0.

Quarterscores: 22-29, 57-44, 79-61, 107-86