Helterbrand lifts the Kings past Blaze Boosters; Aces nip E. Painters

Jayjay Helterbrand releases his leaner with 0.2 seconds remaining in the clock over the outstreched hands of Petron import Nick Fazekas. Photo by Nuki Sabio, PBA

MANILA, Philippines—Given up for lost, the Barangay Ginebra Kings turned to the reliable Jayjay Helterbrand again Sunday night.

The 6-foot-1 guard nailed an off-balanced jumper at the buzzer, lifting Ginebra to an 84-82 squeaker over Petron Blaze Sunday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Helterbrand’s buzzer-beater came after Nicolas Fazekas drilled a long three with 4.1 seconds left to cap a Petron rally from 22 points that tied the count at 82.

“That play was really meant for Jayjay. He’s a big-time player capable of making big-time shots,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“We hurt ourselves by turning the ball over many times. Good thing we managed to pull through.”

Earlier, seven-footer Adam Parada exploited every mismatch in the paint and Cyrus Baguio attacked at will as the Alaska Aces pummeled the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 109-102.

Parada had 24 points and 20 rebounds while Baguio uncorked nine of his 25 points in the fourth period, including a late three-pointer that took the steam off the rampaging comeback by Elasto Painters.

It was a badly needed victory for the Aces who took a 20-point loss from Barako Bull in their opening game last Friday.

Duke Crews shot 34 points and pulled down 11 boards but the Rain Or Shine local crew failed to respond except for Jeffrei Chan and rookie Paul Lee.

With assistant coach Caloy Garcia subbing in for head coach Yeng Guiao, who is in Brazil, the Elasto Painters forged ahead on Crews’ jumper, 97-96, before going 1-of-13 in the final 3:56.

The scores:
First Game
ALASKA 109—Baguio 25, Parada 24, Tenorio 19, Custodio 12, Thoss 8, Salamat 7, Eman 6, Baracael 4, Reyes 4.
RAIN OR SHINE 102—Crews 34, Chan 18, Lee 11, Cruz 8, Araña 8, Norwood 6, Belga 6, Quinahan 4, Buenafe 3, Jaime 2, Ibanes 2, Matias 0.
Quarters: 28-20, 55-49, 85-74, 109-102
Second Game
GINEBRA 84—Alexander 21, Caguioa 17, Helterbrand 11, Raymundo 10, Hatfield 7, W. Wilson 4, Mamaril 4, Labagala 3, Cortez 3, Ababou 2, Canaleta 2.
PETRON 82—Fazekas 37, Lutz 13, Santos 8, Cabagnot 8, Miranda 6, Ildefonso 6, Al-Hussaini 4, Reyes 0, Yeo 0, Tugade 0.
Quarters: 27-14, 47-34, 64-62, 84-82