PBA Image/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra unleashed a weapon the crowd favorites have been keeping all along.
Nino Cañaleta produced his best game in a Ginebra uniform, sparking the Gin Kings to an 85-77 win over the Alaska Aces last night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“KG played big for us, especially with his ability to spread the floor. He’s also an additional rebounder and it’s a luxury to have somebody who could shoot that well,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen of Cañaleta, who fired four of his team’s 11 three-pointers and finished with 21 points.
Pushed into a make-or-break situation, the victory provided a breather for the Gin Kings as they improved to an even 5-5 record.
“Had we lost, we’d have been down in the standings,” said Tanquingcen.
With their eighth defeat against three victories, coach Joel Banal and his Aces fell behind the Powerade Tigers who have a 3-7 slate in their race for the eighth and final playoff spot after the eliminations.
Mike Cortez drained three triples and finished with 13 points, his last three from the top of the arc giving the Kings a 79-72 advantage with 4:34 to play.
The Aces rallied to within a point but a Ronald Tubid lay-up after intercepting a pass gave Ginebra an 81-77 edge entering the final two minutes.
A Cortez jumper after faking off the 6-foot-7 Reyes finally doomed Alaska, which had a two-game run stopped.
Running the floor so well, the Kings dished out 26 assists even as their defense left Alaska scoreless in the last 2:49.
Ginebra finished the game minus Mark Caguioa, who twisted his right ankle while chasing the zig-zagging LA Tenorio in the lane with 7:43 to play.
The scores:
First Game
BRGY. GINEBRA 85—Canaleta 21, Cortez 13, Intal 12, Helterbrand 10, Mamaril 9, Villanueva 7, Caguioa 7, Wilson J. 2, Wilson W. 2, Tubid 2.
ALASKA 77—Thoss 13, Custodio 12, Reyes 11, Baguio 11, Dela Cruz 11, Tenorio 10, Baracael 5, Eman 2, Bugia 2, Salamat 0.
Quarters: 21-23, 42-46, 66-65, 85-77.