PBA: Ginebra ends skid, dooms Globalport to 5th loss
PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra fended off a persistent Globalport side and survived with a 113-107 triumph Friday night in the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Kings, after a sluggish start for a 6-20 deficit, held on to a slim lead in the fourth quarter even with the winless Batang Pier constantly knocking on the door to arrest a two-game slide.
“We regrouped after giving away too many easy points in the first quarter. We were able to adjust and play better defense,” head coach Ato Agustin said.
Ginebra even led by as many as 12 points in the third period, 75-63, but Globalport wouldn’t allow the game to be blown wide open.
Ginebra open a seven-point lead, 88-81, in the fourth quarter but that was quickly cut down to one by Globalport on an 8-2 run capped by a bucket by Terrence Romeo.
The crowd-darlings tried to take control anew and opened an eight-point lead twice in the last four minutes, but Globalport had one last grasp and trimmed it down to 106-109 with 26.6 ticks to play.
Freethrows from LA Tenorio and a fast-break bucket from Mark Caguioa sealed the Batang Pier’s doom as the Kings nabbed their second win with as many setbacks.
“The good thing in this win is that the locals stepped up as well. Mark Caguioa played a great game and everyone contributed. They all wanted to win,” said Ato.
Leon Rodgers, whose fate with the Kings have been speculated in the past week, put on a solid performance with 33 points and 13 rebounds along with eight turnovers.
But Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand, the Kings’ original fast and furious duo, had significant contributions with 15 and 14 markers, respectively.
Globalport’s Evan Brock also had a monster game with 36 points and 17 boards but it wasn’t enough to get the Batang Pier over the hump.
The Pido Jarencio-mentored squad absorbed their fifth setback in as many games to remain at the bottom of the standings.
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