3.17 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Gin Kings reserve Final Four seat

Published
By Correspondent

The Gin Kings did it!
 
Barangay Ginebra managed to reserve a seat for the Final Four at the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, as its Gin Kings intoxicated the Elasto Painters of Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals Monday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum, in Cubao, Quezon City.
 
The Gin Kings leaned on Vernon Macklin’s heroics in the endgame to clinch the victory, 81-79, over Elasto Painters, whose loss officially placed them at fifth place, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) said on its website.
 
“This is Ginebra’s biggest win, considering we are lacking in players and our opponents are very strong,” Robert Non, long-time San Miguel Corp basketball operations chief and current league chairman, said.
 
It was a devastating loss for Rain or Shine, as it went into the series as the No 2-ranked team—and it really has reason to be depressed.
 
“Case in point was the Elasto Painters’ failure to cash in on three attempts inside the final 6.2 seconds,” PBA said. “Paul Lee missed a corner triple try and so did the follow-up from point blank-range by Jeff Chan and the ensuing tip by Gabe Norwood just before the final buzzer.”
 
Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua said his “never-say-die team” had won because it built on being an underdog as many of its players were unavailable. Marck Caguioa (the Gin Kings’ biggest star), Billy Mamaril and Rico Maierhofer were not able to play because of injuries.
 
“Our confidence built up and that, I think, is one of the reasons we won this game,” Chua said.
 
Macklin displayed his true grit after missing two other tries from the stripe in the third quarter, eventually raking in 24 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. Chris Ellis and Kerby Raymundo turned in double-doubles, combining for 26 points and 21 rebounds.
 
Chris Tiu scored 15 points to pace Rain or Shine while Paul Lee added 14 points and four assists.
 
With its latest win, Ginebra advanced against powerhouse Talk ‘N’ Text in a best-of-five semifinal series that could start on Friday.
 
Today, defending champion San Mig Coffee will play the Meralco Bolts for their KO match at 6.45pm at the Big Dome in Cubao.
 
The tournament top seed Alaska Aces, who defeated the lower-ranked Air21 Express last Friday, are now awaiting the winner of the Coffee Mixers-Meralco Bolts best-of-three series.
 
Scoreboard:
 
Barangay Ginebra (Gin Kings) 81—Macklin 24, Ellis 13, Raymundo 13, Baracael 10, Helterbrand 9, Hatfield 6, Urbiztondo 3, Tenorio 2, Taha 1.
 
Rain or Shine (Elasto Painters) 79—Tiu 15, Lee 14, Sundov 12, Cruz 10, Chan 9, Belga 5, Norwood 4, Matias 3, Arana 3, Rodriguez 2, Quinahan 2, Ibanes 0.
 
Quarters: 22-23, 44-41, 63-61, 81-79