Gin Kings gain quarterfinals

BARANGAY Ginebra finally barged into the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after two failed bids by ripping Globalport, 96-81, in a Petron Saturday Special game at Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

The Gin Kings just proved too much for the undermanned Batang Pier and rose to a 5-5 record while putting Globalport on the brink of elimination at 4-6.

Michael Dunigan and Greg Slaughter tossed in 22 points each to pace the Kings, who can assure themselves of playing in a best-of-three series in the first round of the playoffs by winning over Alaska at the close of the eliminations on Wednesday.

Globalport dropped into a three-way tie for the eighth and last playoff spot together with KIA Motors and Barako Bull, with the Carnival trying to stay alive against a Rain or Shine crew that will be seeking a twice-to-beat privilege today.

That game is slated at 3 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum with the Elasto Painters shooting to close out their elimination round campaign at 8-3.

Talk ‘N Text will also be gunning for the same record when it battles Alaska in the 5:15 p.m. game.  Wins by the Painters and the Tropang Texters would relegate current leader and defending champion Purefoods to third spot.

The Hotshots have the lowest quotient in the tiebreak since they beat Talk ‘N Text by just one and lost to the Painters by seven. Talk ‘N Text will be the No. 2 seed after beating ROS by three.

As things stand, only Blackwater and San Miguel Beer have been eliminated.

Barako Bull is still also in the running with a 4-6 record like KIA and the Batang Pier.

The scores:

GINEBRA 96—Dunigan 22, Slaughter 22, Caguioa 15, Urbiztondo 11, Tenorio 8, Yeo 8, Aguilar 6, Monfort 2, Helterbrand 2, Peña 0, Baracael 0, Ababou 0.

GLOBALPORT 81—Romeo 20, Caracter 16, Miranda 11, Semerad 8, Espinas 8, Jensen 8, Taha 4, Nabong 2, Buenafe 2, Pinto 2, Ponferada 0, Isip 0, Cabrera 0, Capera l0.

Quarters:  22-12, 46-27, 71-52, 96-81