Barangay Ginebra rally past Alaska, 90-81

PBA IMAGE8 - Sam Eman and jason Forte bttles for rebound vs Billy Mamaril and Cedric Bowles. PBA IMAGE/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra turned in a big second half to repulse Alaska, 90-81, Friday in the 2012 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mark Caguioa registered 22 points, four assists and three steals to lead the Gin Kings to a crucial 4-3 record.

The Aces pounced on the Kings slow start and buried Ginebra deep with a 17-point hole, 44-27, after a basket by Sonny Thoss.

The Gin Kings though, lived up to their never-say-die battlecry and didn’t take long as they clawed back and countered with their own frenetic run.

Back-to-back triples by Caguioa and Nino Canaleta put Ginebra ahead by double-digits, 79-68, in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter as Alaska never recovered en route to its seventh loss against one win.

Jason Forte had an Alaska high of 20 points while LA Tenorio and Gabby Espinas contributed 12 points each.