PBA: Ginebra slips past Barako Bull

“Not the groin part, bro!” Ronjay Buenafe of Barako Bull seems to be saying as he tries to get away from Chris Ellis of Ginebra successfully being screened by his teammate Willy Wilson. PBA IMAGES/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra got its act together late in the game and slipped past Barako Bull, 85-79, Friday night in the 2013 PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings hit a dry spell early in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Energy, who are thirsty for a win, to swallow their 14-point lead and turn it into just a one-point game with 4:57 to play.

“It was a good thing we had the lead when they switch to a zone defense,” said head coach Ato Agustin. “We were rattled, surprised by the zone but we were able to adjust in the crucial time.”

Emman Monfort knocked down a crucial three to stretch the lead to 76-72 with 4:13 left, and Barangay Ginebra just imposed its sheer height edge to fend Barako Bull off for good.

“We won because we were able to control the tempo and we won the rebounding,” said Agustin as the Kings dominated the glass, 54-43.

Fifteen of those came from Greg Slaughter, who also added 15 points. Another towering King in Japeth Aguilar led the scoring with 16.

Ginebra improved to 5-1 to stay idle in second place while Barako Bull continued its slide to four games for a 2-4 record.

Veterans Willie Miller and Mick Pennisi led the Energy with 14 points, combining for 11 in the fourth quarter where they tried to regain the lead but failed.

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