Ababou sparks Kings; Texters clobber Bolts

GINEBRA’S Josh Urbiztondo tries to pass to Greg Slaughter as Justin Melton of San Mig Coffee plays interference in yesterday’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

There was much talk about the 7-foot Greg Slaughter debuting as a pro for Barangay Ginebra, and how the Gin Kings were still Mark Caguioa’s team.

Everyone—San Mig Coffee most especially —overlooked the returning  Dylan Ababou.

The former Santo Tomas star entered the game halfway through the third period yesterday and dropped 16 points that keyed a Ginebra breakaway en route to an 86-69 ripping of the Mixers at the start of the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In a simultaneous game held at Cebu Coliseum, defending champion Talk ‘N Text, with four players shooting in twin digits, hacked out an 89-80 decision of sister squad Meralco.

Jason Castro fired 20 points, Nonoy Baclao had 14, Eliud Poligrates scattered 13 and the comebacking Kelly Williams added 10 for the Texters, who are trying to win this conference for an unprecedented fourth straight time.

In Davao, Rain or Shine showed a lot of depth in a lopsided 87-74 win over Alaska before a similarly huge crowd at University of Southeastern Philippines gymnasium.

The Elasto Painters got contributions coming from practically everyone and rookies Jeric Teng and Alex Nuyles played quality minutes as Rain or Shine broke away in the second period to post leads of as many as 20.

Ababou’s heroics happened exactly one year after he injured his right ACL against the same team.

“I will remember this date—Nov. 17—because that was when I injured my ACL last year and it’s also the same date that I returned,” Ababou said after shooting three triples and playing so well that the team found no need for Caguioa from there.

The Kings actually trailed by 12 late in the first half but came out of the halftime break on their skates, easily erasing a 34-42 deficit with Ababou and LA Tenorio leading the way.

The scores:

In Manila

BARANGAY GINEBRA 86—Aguilar 18, Tenorio 17, Ababou 16, Slaughter 10, Reyes 10, Ellis 7, Helterbrand 5, Caguioa 2, Monfort 1, Baracael 0, Urbiztondo 0, Forrester 0, Faundo 0.

SAN MIG COFFEE 69—Barroca 14, Acuna 11, Sangalang 8, Yap 8, Pingris 7, Reavis 7, Melton 5, De Ocampo 4, Mallari 4, Holstein 1, Cawaling 0.

Quarters: 20-21, 34-42, 58-55, 86-69

In Cebu

TALK ‘N TEXT 89—Castro 20, Baclao 14, Poligrates 13, Williams 10, Alapag 8, Carey 6, Fonacier 6, Peek 6, Aban 4, Anthony 2, Ferriols 0.

MERALCO 80—David 26, Dillinger 11, Hodge 9, Cortez 8, Hugnatan 7, Al-Hussaini 7, Salvacion 6, Wilson 2, Allado 2, Artadi 2.

Quarters: 24-23; 42-42; 64-66; 89-80

In Davao

RAIN OR SHINE 87—Chan 17, Rodriguez 13, Cruz 12, Quinahan 9, Norwood 8, Ibanes 6, Belga 5, Teng 5, Arana 4, Lee 4, Nuyles 4, Matias 0

ALASKA 74—Baguio 17, Casio 10, Hontiveros 10, Espinas 8, Abueva 7, Ramos 7, Buenafe 5, Jazul 5, Thoss 3, Avenido 2, Eman 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Quarters: 24-18, 48-39, 70-52, 87-74