Kings crush Batang Pier, nail top seed
CHRIS Ellis (top) of Ginebra runs down Globalport’s Leo Najorda on the way to the basket. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
GREG Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar dominated as usual and Barangay Ginebra copped top seeding in the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup playoffs as expected after routing Globalport, 108-92, last night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 7-foot Slaughter tossed in a career-high 23 points that went with 13 boards, while Aguilar had 21 points in leading the Gin Kings to an 11-2 record and the top spot with still a game left in their elimination round schedule.
Globalport wound up its schedule with a 5-9 card is hoping for an Alaska loss against Barako Bull tomorrow to be able to make the playoffs without a hitch.
A win by the Aces, though, could forge a four-team logjam at 5-9 for the last three spots, and the Batang Pier could be involved in the playoff for No. 8 and the unenviable task of playing Ginebra again.
“We achieved our aim,” Ginebra coach Ato Agustin said after getting a total of six players scoring at least 10 points. “I don’t care who we play (in the quarterfinals). The important thing for us is to continue what we’re doing.”
This marks the first time since 2006 that Ginebra has topped an elimination round of any tournament.
Jong Uichico, who is now an assistant at Meralco, achieved that last when he first handled the Kings in this tournament for the franchise’s last all-Filipino championship.
In the second game, San Mig Coffee sealed its quarterfinal spot—and opponent—with a commanding fourth quarter that broke Talk ‘N Text, 100-87.
Mark Barroca exploded in the fourth, scoring 12 of his 16 points there and coming up with a lot of hustle plays that allowed the Mixers (7-7) to set a quarters showdown with the Texters (7-6).
“The next time we play [the Texters], the stakes are going to be much higher,” said San Mig coach Tim Cone, who got 19 points from PJ Simon.
Jayson Castro led Talk ‘N Text with 21.
Sol Mercado scored 20 points to pace Globalport, which again played without the injured Jay Washington.
Meralco is the other team that could drop into a playoff and the Bolts get the chance to avoid that with a win over Petron Blaze in a Petron Saturday Special Game at 3:30 p.m. today at the Big Dome.
Rain or Shine guns for the second twice-to-beat privilege against ousted Air21 in the next match.
The scores:
First Game
BARANGAY GINEBRA 108—Slaughter 23, Aguilar 21, Baracale 18, Ellis 11, Caguioa 11, Tenorio 10, Reyes 8, Helterbrand 2, Monfort 2, Mamaril 2, Ababou 0, Urbiztondo 0.
GLOBALPORT 92—Mercado 20, Menk 17, Ponferada 16, Romer 13, Garcia 9, Nabong 7, Hayes 6, Chua 2, Salva 2, Belencion 0, Najorda 0, Salvador 0.
Quarters: 28-20, 58-49, 80-73, 108-92
Second Game
SAN MIG COFFEE 100—Simon 19, Barroca 16, Devance 14, Reavis 12, Yap 10, Pingris 9, Sangalang 6, Mallari 5, Melton 5, De Ocampo 4.
TALK ‘N TEXT 87—Castro 21, De Ocampo 14, Fonacier 12, Alapag 12, Peek 11, Seigle 10, Anthony 3, Reyes Rob 2, Aban 2, Reyes J. 0.
Quarters: 26-21, 52-44, 75-68, 100-87
