Ginebra nips NLEX; Energy up

KEVIN Alas of NLEX and LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra battle for possession in last night’s Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup match at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

TIM CONE finally got to experience Barangay Ginebra’s never-say-die attitude from the winning side.

Admitting that he had “withdrawn” himself from the game after his Gin Kings trailed by as large as 22 in the third period, Ginebra came up with its trademark rally to nip NLEX, 91-90, and moved closer to a twice-to-beat privilege in the first phase of the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

“Our guys didn’t give up on the game, especially our second group,” said Cone, after the Kings improved to 6-4. “We just had a lot of heroes out there tonight. I’m just really proud of them. This is the first time I’ve seen that never-say-die attitude.

Rookie Scottie Thompson and second-string center Dave Marcelo propped the Kings up after Ginebra had fallen behind, 53-75 late in the third period, shooting their combined 24 from that stretch with Thompson ultimately knocking down the marginal free throws with 10.4 ticks left off a Simon Enciso foul.

Thompson, though, couldn’t finish the game as he was helped out of the floor with 2.1 seconds remaining after getting banged up hard underneath and complaining of a sore right shoulder.

“It’s [feared that he injured] the rotator cuff on his shoulder,” Cone said. “It depends on whether it popped out. He’s a prized possession for us. We’ll take care of him.”

Cone admitted to having withdrawn himself from the game after Ginebra fell into that 22-point hole, and even said that they were lucky to come out as winners after Sean Anthony missed an open short stab at the buzzer.

“I had to step away and allow things to happen, to let the players play,” Cone said. “I don’t deserve to be here. Boyet (Fernandez, the NLEX coach) coached a great game. Did I quit the game? No. But definitely, I withdrew from the game.”

The Road Warriors dropped to 4-6 and practically kissed their chances of a twice-to-beat privilege goodbye.

Meanwhile, Barako Bull boosted its chances for a twice-to-beat advantage earlier after taking down listless Star, 101-83.

The scores:

First Game

BARAKO BULL 101—Urbiztondo 24, Intal 18, Wilson 18, Fortuna 14, Pennisi 14, Brondial 6, Monfort 5, Lanete 2, Baracael 0, Miranda 0, Sorongon 0.

STAR 83— Barroca 17, Yap 12, Sangalang 11, Pingris 10, Mallari 9, Taha 7, Cruz 5, Melton 5, Pascual 4, Torres 3, Simon 0.

Quarters: 25-28, 45-45, 67-71, 101-83

Second Game

GINEBRA 91—Slaughter 18, Thompson 14, Aguilar 12, Ellis 11, Marcelo 10, Tenorio 7, Devance 6, Helterbrand 5, Caguioa 4, Cruz 4, Mercado 0, Salva 0.

NLEX 90—Taulava 21, Anthony 16, Villanueva J. 11, Lanete 9, Alas 8, Camson 6, Enciso 6, Khobuntin 6, Borboran 5, Reyes 2, Villanueva E. 0.

Quarters: 22-22, 41-49, 75-59, 91-90