INQUIRER Sports

GAME FRIDAY
(Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m.—San Miguel vs Barangay Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra didn't even have to come up with its trademark come-from-behind style in this one.

Running at every opportunity, the Gin Kings streaked to an early lead and fended off a late challenge from the highly favored San Miguel Beermen in a 102-96 victory that gave them a 1-0 start in their Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup championship series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra, the defending champion, led by as many as 17 points in the first half and by 18 late in the third before playing it smart in the stretch to gain psychological edge in the best-of-seven series that is expected to go down the wire.

A speed unit that had Paul Artadi and Jay-Jay Helterbrand in the starting unit did the trick for the Kings, as the duo combined for 16 points in the first quarter alone with Artadi hitting three triples for 11 points.

Helterbrand then picked up the slack in the second, shooting 14 of his 21 there as the Kings closed out the half sitting on a 53-41 lead that was only threatened late in the fourth period.

“You’d like that situation when you get a head start,” coach Jong Uichico said, referring both to the Kings’ hot start and their 1-0 series lead. “It’s hard to come back against a team like San Miguel.

“But I’ve been here many times before and the first game is just one game,” he added.

Meanwhile, Arwind Santos scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in his final game of the season as Burger King rolled to an easy 132-118 victory over Rain or Shine to secure third place in the first game.

“I think we competed (well) in this conference,” Burger King coach and National mentor Yeng Guiao said. “We put in the mentality that we want this team to have. We have something good to look forward to.”

There was something good to look forward to indeed as Japeth Aguilar is reportedly set to turn pro and Burger King seemed sure to use the first pick overall on the 6-foot-9 former Western Kentucky University standout.

“If Japeth is applying for the draft, the way I see him, he’s going to be the next dominant big man in the league, without a doubt,” Guiao, who will handle Aguilar in the National team, said.

Gary David tossed in 17 points, while import Shawn Daniels had 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Whoppers, who lost in the title series to Barangay Ginebra last year despite taking a 3-2 lead in the series.

The Whoppers opened up a 71-50 lead at the half and were never threatened.

Meanwhile, the Best Player of the Conference award will be handed out tomorrow, with Ginebra spitfire Jay-Jay Helterbrand heavily favored to score a repeat.

Gabriel Freeman of San Miguel is the leading candidate for the Best Import trophy over David Noel of Barangay Ginebra.

The Scores:
First Game
BURGER KING 132—Santos 27, David 17, Daniels 16, Rodriguez 15, Aban 13, Sharma 13, Yee 10, Billones 8, Belga 6, Arboleda 4, Cruz 3.

RAIN OR SHINE 118—Isip 29, Arana 24, Laure 17, Lewis 14, Andaya 9, Tang 8, Ibanes 7, Salangsang 5, Dulay 3, Ejercito 2.
Quarters: 36-23, 71-50, 101-80, 132-118

Second Game
BRGY. GINEBRA 102—Helterbrand 21, Baguio 17, Tubid 14, Artadi 13, Moel 13, Salvacion 9, Lanete 5, Mamaril 4, Intal 2, Menk 2, Reavis 2.

SAN MIGUEL 96—Washington 19, Villanueva 18, Freeman 16, Cortez 12, Hontiveros 11, Racela 7, Ildefonso 4, Pena 4, Pennisi 3, Pingris 2.
Quarters: 26-22, 53-41, 81-65, 102-96