Gin Kings, Boosters book semifinal slots

GINEBRA’S Rico Maierhofer and Enrico Villanueva (14) dispute the rebound with Barako Bulls’ Danny Seigle (left) and Don Allado in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

BARANGAY Ginebra survived the loss of a 15-point third-quarter lead last night to repulse Barako Bull, 102-91, and make the semifinal round of the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Cedric Bozeman scored 10 key points in the fourth and Mark Caguioa finished with 22 as the Gin Kings regained their wits on time to nail down win No. 5 in nine games and join three early qualifiers.

“It’s good that we’re in [the playoffs now],” Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “[Now] we have to find a way to play on a consistent level, consistent meaning that we need to win consecutive games [in the playoffs].”

Petron Blaze also made the playoffs after Alex Cabagnot hit the game-winning layup with nine-tenths of a second remaining for a 98-97 decision of also-ran Air21.

The Boosters also finished the elimination round with a 5-4 record like Ginebra, leaving B-Meg in a must-win game against Powerade today in Legazpi City for the Llamados to avoid complications of a playoff.

Ginebra failed to win consecutive games in the eliminations and Tanquingcen cited “small things” that they need to improve on.

“We’re trying to figure it out,” the young coach said.

Bozeman finished with 28 points, including a three-point play and a three-point shot that quelled the last of several Barako Bull rallies. The Energy were ahead last at 81-80, with 6:50 left, after a Leroy Hickerson basket.

Hickerson led the Energy with 21 points, but lapsed into a critical traveling violation with under three minutes left that partly aided the Ginebra breakaway.

The scores:

First Game

GINEBRA 102—Bozeman 28, Caguioa 22, Villanueva 11, Wilson 9, Raymundo 9, Cortez 8, Maliksi 6, Ababou 3, Maierhoffer 3, Canaleta 3, Hatfield 0.

BARAKO BULL 91—Hickerson 21, Seigle 14, Miller 12, Allado 10, Pennisi 9, Tubid 7, Kramer 6, Najorda 5, Cruz 4, Salvacion 3.

Quarters: 31-22; 54-43;74-71; 102-91

Second Game

PETRON 98—Washington 23, Lutz 18, Santos 16, Cabagnot 13, Basden 7, Lanete 7, Baclao 6, Yeo 4, Miranda 2, Pena 2, Hontiveros 0.

AIR21 97—Graham 40, Espiritu 16, Faundo 10, Ritualo 10, Sison 6, Escobal 5, Sena 2, Isip 2, Hubalde 2, Omolon 2, Arboleda 2, Menor 0.

Quarters: 20-22, 52-50, 79-75, 98-97