MANILA—Brgy. Ginebra held Powerade scoreless in the final three and a half minutes to come away with an 82-75 triumph Saturday night for its first victory of the season in a PBA All-Filipino Cup road game in Batangas City.
The Gin Kings nearly put to waste a 15-point halftime lead, allowing the Tigers to tie the game at 75 heading into the last 3:37.
But the Gin Kings put the clamps on the Tigers in the final stretch while drawing clutch plays from Ronald Tubid and Rudy Hatfield to tie their victims with a 1-1 record.
Hatfield stripped Chico Lanete of possession and fed Tubid for a breakaway layup, before Tubid followed up his own miss in the final minute to give the Gin Kings an 81-75 lead.
Willie Miller led Ginebra with 15 points, while six other teammates scored at least eight points in a balanced attack.
Only Gary David, with 27 points, and Mark Macapagal, with 13, were the only Tigers who scored in double figures.
Meanwhile, newcomer Meralco seeks to build on its impressive opening-day victory when it tangles with Barako Bull Sunday even as Talk ‘N Text and San Miguel collide in a clash of pretournament favorites.
The Bolts, who nipped the Ginebra Gin Kings, 73-72, on opening day, are fancied to coast past the Boosters, a team sorely lacking offensive firepower, in the 4 p.m. duel at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Texters and the Beermen are also eyeing the early lead in the tournament in their 6:30 p.m. clash after rolling past their respective rivals in their season debuts.
Talk ‘N Text proved it had more than enough firepower even without the injured Ranidel de Ocampo, crushing a depleted B-Meg Derby Ace squad, 87-76, last Wednesday.
San Miguel, with Dondon Hontiveros finding his range, gave a retooled Air21 team a rude welcome to the season with a 100-86 win last Friday.
Mark Cardona, who hit the game-winner against the Gin Kings, is expected to hold the fort anew for the Bolts, who also drew an inspired effort from rookie Shawn Weinstein.
The 5-foot-11 Weinstein, the 10th pick in the draft, shot only six points in his debut, but provided a calm and composed presence at the backcourt for the Bolts.
Barako Bull’s campaign got off on a losing note as the Boosters absorbed a 64-80 defeat to the Alaska Aces Friday night.
The scores:
GINEBRA 82—Miller 15, De Ocampo 11, Tubid 10, Hatfield 10, Menk 9, Wilson 8, Helterbrand 8, Caguioa 5, Cortez 3, Intal 2, Villanueva 1, Mamaril 0.
POWERADE 75—David 27, Macapagal 13, Espino 6, Anthony 6, J. Reyes 5, Ritualo 5, Laure 5, R. Reyes 2, Calimag 2, Lanete 2, Gonzales 0, Rizada 0.
Quarters: 22-14, 50-35, 62-60, 82-75
GINEBRA 82—Miller 15, De Ocampo 11, Tubid 10, Hatfield 10, Menk 9, Wilson 8, Helterbrand 8, Caguioa 5, Cortez 3, Intal 2, Villanueva 1, Mamaril 0.
POWERADE 75—David 27, Macapagal 13, Espino 6, Anthony 6, J. Reyes 5, Ritualo 5, Laure 5, R. Reyes 2, Calimag 2, Lanete 2, Gonzales 0, Rizada 0.
Quarters: 22-14, 50-35, 62-60, 82-75
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