February 07, 2018

Ginebra never say die attitude on display as Kings deal KIA Picanto another frustrating loss

The Barangay Ginebra Kings exploded in the second period versus the Kia Picanto and made sure not to suffer the same late-game implosion that cost them the game the last time out against the NLEX Road Warriors.

The Kings reigned over the Picanto almost all throughout on the way to a huge 103-77 victory that shoved them back to the upper half of the chart in the PBA Philippine Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Wednesday night.with

Leaving nothing to chance, the Kings blew past the Picanto and into joint fifth place with the TNT KaTropa and the Phoenix Fuel Masters at 4-4.

Kia suffered another embarrassing defeat and fell deeper down the cellar at 1-7.

"Sabi ni coach Tim (Cone) we treat this game as a playoff game, at talagang naglaro kami with playoff mentality," said Scottie Thompson, shining brightest among the Kings with a near triple-double job with 14 rebounds, 12 points and seven rebounds despite sitting out the fourth quarter.

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The Picanto lost six of their first seven games by a whopping average margin of 23.3. They were way behind, 34-53, right at the half against the Gin Kings.

All the other Ginebra starters - Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio and Kevin Ferrer - logged in double-digit outputs, and the Ginebra reserves had they contribution as they bounced back strong from their 78-81 defeat at the hands of the Road Warriors Saturday.

Slaughter came up with 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Aguilar piled up 13 markers, seven boards and three dish-outs, Tenorio chipped in 13 points, five dole-outs and three boards while Ferrer made 10 markers and four assists.

Rookie Jett Manuel finally got some minutes and got away with eight markers on 3-of-6 shooting while Prince Caperal came through with six markers and five boards in his Ginebra debut curiously against his former team.

Thompson had had double-double numbers with 10 points and 10 rebounds plus six assists and one steal while Slaughter and Aguilar had piled up combined numbers of 25 markers and 10 boards as the Kings led by 19 at the half.

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It was actually a close game before the Kings pummeled the Picanto, 28-10, in the second quarter.

Ginebra shot 48 percent from the field while holding Kia to a miserable 33-percent clip in the first 24 minutes of play.

"Time to show Ginebra's never-say-die attitude," said Thompson.

The scores:

BARANGAY GINEBRA 103 - Slaughter 14, Tenorio 13, J. Aguilar 13, Thompson 12, Ferrer 10, Taha 8, Manuel 8, Caperal 6, R. Aguilar 6, Mercado 4, Cruz 4, Jamito 3, Caguioa 2, Wilson 0.

KIA 77 - McCarthy 15, Tubid 13, Corpuz 9, Reyes 8, Jamon 5, Camson 4, Sara 4, Escoto 4, Khobuntin 4, Yee 4, Lastimosa 3, Ababou 2, Galanza 2, Celda 0, Gabriel 0.

Quarter scores: 25-24, 53-34, 78-52, 103-77.