BARANGAY Ginebra gave newcomer Kia a rude reminder on what it takes to slug it out with a PBA heavyweight.
The Gin Kings sent the Sorento crashing back to earth with an 87-55 rout last night for their second straight victory in a Philippine Cup road game at Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar imposed their will with 16 points each as the Gin Kings grabbed the solo lead in the tournament.
The Gin Kings put up a defensive blanket in the first half, holding the Sorentos to just 11 points in each of the first two quarters.
The loss evened Kia’s card at 1-1 counting its opening-day win over Blackwater. The Sorento played without playing coach Manny Pacquiao, who is deep in training for his fight against Chris Algieri next month.
Pacquiao was in General Santos City where he sparred for eight rounds (five with Viktor Postool, three with Stan Martinyiouk).
Along with chief trainer Freddie Roach, promoter Bob Arum and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao flew on a private jet last night to Hong Kong, where the eight-division world champion will hold a workout for the Chinese media on Monday.
Meanwhile, San Miguel shoots for a second straight win as it tackles shorthanded Purefoods Star after Barako Bull and Globalport gun for their first victories.
The Beermen and the Hotshots take the floor at 5:15 p.m. with San Miguel trying to follow up its 87-79 conquest of Rain or Shine last Tuesday with another strong performance.
Still missing Marc Pingris, the Hotshots suffered another blow after Ian Sangalang sustained a partial ACL tear in a loss to Alaska last Wednesday.
The scores:
GINEBRA 87—Slaughter 16, Aguilar 16, Reyes 12, Ellis 10, Yeo 9, Mamaril 7, Tenorio 6, Caguioa 4, Helterbrand 3, Forrester 2, Baracael 2, Monfort 0, Ababou 0, Brondial 0.
KIA 55—Lingganay 14, Cervantes 14, Revilla 7, Alvarez 6, Alonzo 3, Raymundo 3, Thiele 2, Ighalo 2, Padilla 2, Buensuceso 2, Saldua 0, Sanga 0, Burtscher 0.
Quarters: 17-11, 43-22, 67-42, 87-55