Gin Kings roll back Painters, seize lead
Jeff Chan vs Willie Wilson and Allien Maliksi. PBA IMAGES by Nuki Sabio
LA Tenorio hit five straight points in the stretch and helped Barangay Ginebra San Miguel pound out a 98-94 decision of Rain or Shine last night for a second consecutive win in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The last four of those points came in a span of just over 21 seconds as the Gin Kings erased a 93-94 deficit for a 97-94 lead heading into the final 16.5 seconds.
“We were blessed by God to come out with a win,” Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “We didn’t play well at all. It’s good that somehow we were able to squeeze out a win.”
Gabe Norwood gave the Elasto Painters the lead for the last time at 94-93 by plucking an offensive rebound over Mark Caguioa and putting it back in in one motion.
It was the first loss in two games for the Painters, whose first win came over powerhouse Petron Blaze.
RENREN Ritualo of Air 21 aborts a drive and looks for an open teammate off Josh Vanlandingham of Globalport in last night’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Norwood was called for a questionable foul by referee Jun Marabe on Tenorio with 16.5 to go, leading to two free throws that gave the Kings that one-point lead.
Caguioa, the reigning MVP, sealed the win with a free throw with 6.4 seconds left after Jeff Chan, who scored 10 straight points in one stretch of the fourth, missed a triple.
Earlier, John Wilson came off the bench to shoot 17 points and Niño Cañaleta contributed eight fourth-quarter points to lead Air21 to an 88-81 decision of newcomer Globalport.
Wilson scored 10 in the first period and the veteran Wynne Arboleda also struck hard in the final frame as the Express held off a spirited closing charge by the Batang Pier.
The loss was the second straight for the Batang Pier, who were led by former two-time MVP Willie Miller with 22 points.
The scores:
First Game
AIR21 88—Wilson 17, Isip 12, Canaleta 12, Arboleda 9, Custodio 8, Sena 7, Omolon 6, Atkins 5, Taha 4, Baclao 4, Ritualo 4.
GLOBALPORT 81—Miller 22, David 17, Deutchman 14, Manuel 9, Salvador 8, Lingganay 5, Mandani 2, Vanlandingham 2, Adducul 2, Raymundo 0, Guevarra 0.
Quarters: 24-24, 41-39, 65-60, 88-81
Second Game
GINEBRA 98—Caguioa 22, Tenorio 20, Maierhofer 12, Raymundo 12, Maliksi 9, Wilson 6, Mamaril 6, Cortez 5, Ellis 2, Jensen 2, Helterbrand 2, Hatfield 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 94—Chan 25, Matias 14, Norwood 11, Rodriguez 10, Cruz 7, Belga 7, Tang 6, Ibanes 6, Quinahan 5, Arana 3.
Quarters: 30-30, 46-49, 69-67, 98-94
