Ginebra Kings grab second straight win as KIA runs out of gas
For 38 long minutes, KIA kept in step with Barangay Ginebra. But when the Gin Kings shifted into high gear, the Carnival were left eating the dust.
Findings its usual groove just in time, Barangay Ginebra defeated upset-conscious KIA on Friday night 100-92 for its second straight victory in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
After finding the Carnival a tough nut to crack and holding to just a precarious one-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Gin Kings rediscovered their lethal offensive form anchored on import Michael Dunigan while their locals, notably forward Japeth Aguilar, also did their fair share defensively en route to gaining a fitting follow-up to an impressive 95-82 victory over struggling sister team San Miguel Beer last Sunday.
The 6-foot-9 Dunigan pumped in 11 of his team-high 27 points in the payoff canto on top of 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks while center Greg Slaughter, guards LA Tenorio, Joseph Yeo, and Mark Caguioa scattered at least 11 markers each to help the Gin Kings improved their record to an even 2-2.
Puerto Rican giant PJ Ramos dominated anew with game-highs of 37 points and 22 rebounds but the Carnival still suffered their second straight setback and fourth overall against a lone win.
Ginebra should also give credit to its renewed collective stance in the payoff canto, with the 6-foot-9 Aguilar providing the energy in the team’s decisive 15-6 breakaway that stretched a close one-point cushion into an 88-78 bubble with less than five minutes to play.
The Gin Kings, with Dunigan scoring six of their next eight points, stretched their lead to as high of 96-84 with under two minutes left.
But the Carnival refused to easily fold up and even threatened within six following Leo Avenido’s back-to-back triples, time down to just 34.6 seconds.
However, the Gin Kings won’t just be denied.
The Main Man: Import Michael Dunigan delivered anew for the Gin Kings, scattering 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Honorable Mentions: Ginebra’s local cagers also made a difference, with four players scoring at least 11 markers and forward Japeth Aguilar providing the defensive intensity in the payoff canto.
Game Turning Point: After import PJ Ramos pulled KIA within 72-73 early in the payoff period, Ginebra countered back with a telling 15-6 run to stretch its lead to 88-78 with less than five minutes left.
Stat of the Game: The Gin Kings made life easier for one another by issuing 21 assists and taking care of the leather as they only had 11 errors, five fewer than the Carnival’s.
Next Games:
Ginebra versus Talk 'N Text on Feb. 15 at the MOA Arena.
KIA versus Purefoods Star on Feb. 18 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
He Said It:
Ginebra coach Ato Agustin: We doubled him (Ramos). We played man to man kasi malakas talaga. Sana magtuloy-tuloy na ‘tong winning streak namin.
The scores:
GINEBRA 100 - Dunigan 27, Slaughter 14, Tenorio 11, Yeo 11, Caguioa 11, Ellis 8, Mamaril 6, Baracael 6, Aguilar 4, Monfort 2, Pena 0, Urbiztondo 0, Helterbrand 0, Ababou 0, Brondial 0.
KIA 92 - Ramos 37, Yee 13, Revilla 9, Avenido 9, Cawaling 6, Pascual 6, Thiele 6, Dehesa 2, Alvarez 2, Bagatsing 2, Poligrates 0, Ighalo 0, Burtscher 0, Buensuceso 0.
Quarter scores: 25-17, 46-45, 70-70, 100-92.
