7 players in double figures as Kings hand Elasto Painters worst loss in franchise history

ANTIPOLO -- Barangay Ginebra is now only two series away from a title-repeat in the import-reinforced tourney.

Stalled by the Alaska Milk Aces the last time out, the Kings gained outright entry into the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals just the same on a 114-71 massacre of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Center here.

The Kings pounded and pummeled the Elasto Painters all night, fashioning out the most lopsided win in the league in three years.

"Di mo talaga maintindihan ang basketbal. Noong isang gabi, hindi kami maka-shoot. Ngayon, puro shoot naman," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

"If we just shoot the same the other night, malamang wala na tong playoff na ito," Uichico added.

Behind a torrid shooting, the Kings dealt the Elasto Painters their worst defeat in franchise history, easily resolving who's the more deserving team to join San Miguel Beer as top seeds in the post-classification round plays beginning Wednesday.

Making the semis without going through the wildcard round and the quarterfinals, the Kings and the Beermen will be taking at least a three-week rest before resuming their campaigns in the season-ending tourney.

Ginebra is seeded in the semis in the lower bracket. Its semis foe is either Rain or Shine, Barako Bull, Purefoods or Talk n Text.

Relegated to being the third seed, the Elasto Painters have to get past the Energy Boosters in the wildcard round and either the Giants or the Tropang Texters in the quarterfinals to set a semis confrontation with the Kings. They will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage over the Energy Boosters.

San Miguel is the top seed in the top bracket, and the Beermen have to contend with either the Burger King Whoppers, the Alaska Milk Aces, the Coca-Cola Tigers or the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the semis.

"Mukhang mas mabigat ang mga teams sa bracket namin. Purefoods and Talk n Text are strong teams. Sa kabila, mas angat sa lahat ang San Miguel," said Uichico.

The wildcard round starts Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum with the Painters and the Whopper going for the kill versus the Energy Boosters and the Aces, respectively.

The Kings came out bristling after the sorry loss to the Aces Friday, dealing the Elasto Painters severe beating right in the first half.

Rain or Shine had its lone taste of the lead at 1-0 on a free throw by Gabe Norwood, then Ginebra went to work, racing ahead at 11-1 on an attack capped by three straight treys by David Noel and Jayjay Helterbrand.

The Kings built 20-point bulges right in the opening quarter while converting 52.6 percent of their shots.

They tapered off a bit in the next period but continued to outclass the Elasto Painters. They hit at a 48.5 percent clip as against Rain or Shine's woeful 20-percent shooting in the first 24 minutes of play. (NC)

The scores:

Ginebra 114 -- Tubid 18, Noel 17, Baguio 16, Salvacion 12, Helterbrand 12, Lanete 10, Artadi 10, Mamaril 5, Reavis 5, Se 4, Pacana 2, Menk 2, Intal.

Rain or Shine 71 -- Reyes 17, Norwood 12, Arana 9, Laure 7, Lewis 6, Tang 6, Andaya 6, Salangsang 3, Mercado 2, Ibanes 2, Dulay 1, Isip 0, Wainwright 0.

Quarterscores: 30-14, 50-24, 76-48, 114-71


Source: http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2645/1/