Kings advance to quarterfinals outright, hand TNT free ride to semis

Barangay Ginebra gained an outright entry into the quarterfinals and unwittingly gave Talk ‘N Text a free lift into the semifinals.

This was the Yuletide package the Kings wrapped up as they whipped the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 63-58, in a low-scoring duel at the close of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup double-round elimination phase at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Talagang merry ang Christmas," said Barangay Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico as they scored the win guaranteeing the team automatic quarters passage.

"At the start of the conference, we're just thinking of surviving. Now we're in a spot everybody wants to be in if you miss the outright semis," Uichico added.

The Kings even claimed the top seeding in the quarters with a better quotient than the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Sta. Lucia Realtors. The three teams finished tied at third with identical 10-8 win-loss card.

"Mabigat ang seeding namin but I take it anytime because we could have been in the wildcard round. Maraming salamat talaga we're here," Uichico said. "Come quarters, iba na naman yon. We'll try to get healthy. Hopefully, makabalik si Rafi Reavis."

Though still playing with aches and pains, the Kings got back at the Painters, denying Rain or Shine a playoff with Talk ‘N Text for the second outright semis seat.

The Tropang Texters instead joined Alaska in an outright entry into the Final Four with Rain or Shine relegated into a best-of-three quarterfinal against defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty.

Barangay Ginebra will slug it out in the other best-of-3 quarterfinal against the lone survivor from the wildcard playoffs.

Slugging it out in the knockout wildcard games are Coca-Cola versus San Miguel Beer, and Air21 against Purefoods, with both series starting at once this Sunday at the Big Dome.

Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine figured in the lowest-scoring battle of the conference but the Kings managed to imposed their will, leading by as many as 20 at 41-21.

Eric Menk and Ronald Tubid both churned out a double-double game for the Kings with the former tallying 15 points and 10 rebounds and the latter 11 markers and 10 boards.

Only with 12 and 10 points, respectively, Jay R Reyes and Gabe Norwood were already the highest scorers for the Painters limited to an all-time franchise low on an atrocious 27.3-percent field-goal shooting.

Rain or Shine was 5-of-37 from beyond the arc and 16-of-40 from the two point zone while Ginebra was 27-of-85 overall en route to the lowest winning score of the tourney. (NC)

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 63 -- Menk 15, Tubid 11, Cabatu 10, Helterbrand 10, Valenzuela 7, Mamaril 4, Escalona 2, Wilson 2, Crisano 2, Pacana 0, Artadi 0, Salvacion 0.

Rain or Shine 58 -- Reyes 12, Norwood 10, Salangsang 8, Arana 7, Mercado 6, Wainwright 5, Tang 4, Ibanes 3, Andaya 2, Dulay 1, Isip 0, Ejercito 0.

Quarterscores: 20-14, 37-21, 51-38, 63-58


http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2430/1/