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Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Kings get Christmas present
The Barangay Ginebra Kings got themselves a huge Christmas present but had to labor for it before their delirious followers.
Mark Caguioa and Chris Porter provided the finishing touches at crunch time as the Kings withstood a gallant stand by the Alaska Aces for a 96-89 victory Christmas night at the close of the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Conference qualification phase.
Porter and Caguioa each scored 10 crucial points in the fourth quarter to save the day for the Kings in an all-important showdown that nearly slipped from their hands.
It was the ninth win in 16 games for the Kings, who earned the right to face the Red Bull Barakos in a sudden death for the No.2 spot and an outright passage to the semifinals.
Tie
The Kings and the Barakos wound up tied with the Talk ’N Text Phone Pals and the Air21 Express but had better quotients.
The Phone Pals and the Express will dispute the No.4 spot and an automatic spot in the quarterfinals also via a knockout playoff.
The Ginebra-Red Bull and TNT-Air 21 showdowns will be played on Jan. 4 at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Porter turned in 29 points and 16 rebounds to show the way for the Kings, but it was Caguioa (25 points) who provided the inspiration when the league’s biggest crowd-drawer needed a spark.
“I can’t say enough of Mark (Caguioa),” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen. “He did not just took over the offense. He also showed his skills on the offensive side. That’s the reason why the fans love him so much.”
Ginebra 96 – Porter 29, Caguioa 25, Santos 18, Menk 8, Adducul 6, Helterbrand 5, Seigle 3, Macapagal 2, Holper 0, Salvacion 0, Dimaunahan 0. Alaska 89 – Bradley 34, Allado 15, dela Cruz 9, Cariaso 9, Hugnatan 6, Cablay 5, Alvarez 4, Cortez 4, Thoss 3, Franco 0, Padilla 0. Quarters: 24-16, 40-35, 71-68, 96-89. (PBA media bureau)
(December 27, 2005 issue)
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