MANILA, Philippines—It took Ginebra extra five minutes to put away a resilient Shopinas.com, 94-90, Wednesday in the 2011 PBA Philippines Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Experience prevailed in overtime where a 7-0 start buoyed the Gin Kings down the stretch where the youthful Clickers caught up anew.
“I can’t explain. It was really God’s grace that allowed us to get through this one,” said Ginebra co-head coach Siot Tanquingcen.
Free throws by JJ Helterbrand, whose triple from way out sent the game to overtime, with 5.8 seconds remaining corked Ginebra’s third win.
Helterbrand finished with nine points and six rebounds while JC Intal and Mark Caguiao topscored with 16 points each.
Shopinas.com, which is still winless after five games, had a chance to snatch one but blew five point in the last minute while missing crucial freethrows.
Paolo Hubalde, who scored 11 points, misfired on a potential game-winning three pointer at the end of regulation.
RJ Jazul and Elmer Espiritu led the Clickers on a losing cause with 15 and 13 points, respectively.