PBA IMAGE
Chalk up another loss for Manny Pacquiao.
Ginebra subdued an inspired KIA, 105-98, to snap its two-game losing streak in the PBA Governor’s Cup Wednesday evening Cuneta Astrodome.
Pacquiao returned to the Philippines Wednesday morning after his loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and might have been looking for comfort from the team where he is a playing coach.
Ginebra San Miguel, however, would have none of it.
Import Orlando Johnson and Josh Urbiztondo teamed up for a 6-0 run at the end of the fourth to give Ginebra a 103-97 lead with 16 seconds left.
Ginebra head coach Frankie Lim said it was all the players’ effort especially as they held ground without their injured towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.
“You can see the effort of my players, you can never discount that,” Lim said as his team took a 1-2 win-loss record.
Lim praised Rodney Brondial, who held fort in the paint in the absence of Aguilar and Slaughter.
Ginebra had a 10-point lead, 75-65, early in the fourth, but an 8-0 Carnival charge cut it to two, 75-73, with Alex Nuyles icing a jumper from the left baseline.
“We lost a 10-point lead in an instant but we recovered,” Lim said.
Johnson poured 47 points to go along 17 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks
Mark Caguioa added 16 points for the crowd darlings.
LA Revilla led the 1-1 KIA with 20 points while import Hamady N’Diaye had a 19-point, 25-rebound double-double.
The scores:
GINEBRA 105 – Johnson 47, Caguioa 16, Urbiztondo 11, Tenorio 10, Mercado 8, Tungalag 8, Brondial 3, Marcelo 2, Pena 0, Monfort 0, Helterbrand 0, Baracael 0.
KIA 98 – Revilla 20, N’Diaye 19, Dehesa 19, Chang 10, Bagatsing 10, Nuyles 5, Ighalo 4, Alvarez 4, Thiele 3, Deutchman 2, Yee 2, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 23-27, 49-42, 73-65, 105-98