Ginebra Kings bow to LG Sakers in exhibition game
The LG Sakers banked on the steady play of import Christopher Massie and the sweet shooting of Ki Seung Ho and Yong Hwan Kim to pull out an 81-76 win over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in an exhibition game, Tuesday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings played from behind for much of the second half but they were able to cut the Koreans’ lead to a single point with 3:02 left in the game. However, Kim heated up as he nailed two crucial triples late in the game to allow the Sakers to get the victory.
Massie was named the Most Valuable Player of the Game as he scored 24 points while adding 14 rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Ki chipped in 21 points while Kim added 15 including the twin daggers down the stretch.
Greg Slaughter led Ginebra with 23 points and 12 rebounds as their offense now revolved around him. Wings Chris Ellis and Mac Baracael added 13 points each while new-recruit Joseph Yeo added nine points, three rebounds, and four assists.
Both teams didn’t make the fans feel like it was just as practice game as they played with high intensity from the start. Ginebra rookie Rodney Brondial was extra physical against LG shooter Ki Seung Ho. After Slaughter opened the scoring with a free throw, Josh Urbiztondo pestered the opposing point guard for a steal and a baseline triple as Ginebra took a 4-0 lead.
The Sakers pulled even at 6-all but Brondial gave Ginebra the lead back with a tip-in.
The rest of the first quarter was all about Ki as he heated up to give LG a 20-17 lead after the first ten minutes.
The roles were reversed in the second quarter as the Koreans went to Massie at the post for most of their points. Baracael and Ellis later made back-to-back triples to cut LG’s lead, 38-35.
Massie scored on a tip-in at the halftime buzzer for a 40-35 lead for the visitors.
The Korean import and Ki led their team in scoring with 14 points each. Slaughter led Ginebra with 11 points while Ellis added nine.
In the third quarter, Jayjay Helterbrand tried to get the Kings back into the game with his shooting but the Koreans were too cohesive on both sides of the floor to give the lead up. They took a 60-54 lead into the final quarter.
The scores:
LG 81: Massie 24, Ki 21, Kim 15, Kim 13, Lee 4, Yoo 3, Yaung 1.
Ginebra 76: Slaughter 23, Baracael 13, Ellis 13, Yeo 9, Helterbrand 7, Urbiztondo 3, Mamaril 2, Reyes 2, Caguioa 2, Brondial 2.
Quarters: 20-17, 40-35, 60-54, 81-76.
