INQUIRER Sports

ANTIPOLO—With its offense in synch, even the Philippine Basketball Association’s best all-Filipino crew didn’t stand a chance against Barangay Ginebra Wednesday night.

The Gin Kings hit a bevy of three-pointers to gain control in the first half before running an import-less Sta. Lucia Realty side to the ground in the second to make the semifinals of the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup after a 113-85 victory at the Ynares Center here.

Ginebra drained 10-of-14 triple attempts in the first two periods—two each from Jay-Jay Helterbrand and Junthy Valenzuela—to post a 13-point halftime lead, increasing it to bulges as big as 33, 101-68, and sweep the Realtors out of their best-of-three series.

The Game 2 victory, which came easier after Sta. Lucia management sent home ex-convict Lee Benson late Tuesday night, put the Kings opposite semifinalist-in-waiting Red Bull in a best-of-seven series worth watching starting Saturday.

The management of Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia decided to sack its import after Benson reportedly made monetary demands and threatened to not give his all against the Kings.

The scores:

GINEBRA 113—Helterbrand 22, Alexander 19, Caguioa 19, Valenzuela 15, Artadi 12, Escalona 8, Salvacion 6, Mamaril 4, Reavis 4, Pacana 2, Menk 2, Wilson 0, Crisano 0.
STA. LUCIA 85—Williams 23, Omolon 12, Reyes 9, Yeo 8, Aquino 8, Miranda 7, Mendoza 6, Daa 4, Coronel 3, Espino 3, Gonzales 2, Mamaclay 0.
Quarters: 28-21; 56-43; 79-63; 113-85