Barangay Ginebra established control towards the end of the third quarter and roared on
to pull off an 83-72 win over the Alaska Aces in the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports
Center here Sunday.
Nino Canaleta, Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand stood at the forefront of Ginebra’s attack as
the Kings cut loose from a tight game in the third period and never let up to score the rousing
victory witnessed by a crowd of over 10,000 in the Antipolo City playing venue.
“It’s not as easy as it seems. We just caught them when they’re still on a
feeling-each-other-out stage. They had a coaching change and acquired new players. It will take time
for them to get accustomed to one another,” said comebacking Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.
“Malakas pa rin ang materyales. Naka-tyempo lang kami talaga,” added Tanquingcen, prevailing
over new Alaska mentor Joel Banal.
Canaleta and Caguioa presided over Ginebra’s romp in the third quarter then Helterbrand had a
crucial seven-point explosion to step up the Kings’ breakaway in the fourth.
The Aces tried to mount a rally but the Kings were undaunted, unleashing a 9-3 run to all but settle
the outcome of the game at 81-66 with a little over a minute left to play.
The Kings eventually broke into the win-column in the season after dropping a close game versus the
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 93-94, on opening day.
Canaleta scored 17 points and pulled down seven rebounds while Caguioa tossed in 16 markers and
grabbed six boards for the Kings.
Rookie Mac Baracael made 17 points while Sonny Thoss had 16 points and 13 rebounds to pace the Aces.
Hardly making an impact for Alaska were top guns LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio.
Helterbrand, the 2009 MVP, concentrated on helping run the plays in the first three quarters then
got away with three lethal baskets at the start of the payoff period.
He had a medium-range jumper, a triple then a steal which he translated into a breakaway layup that
opened a huge 68-51 spread for the Kings.
Alaska had its last gasp as Baracael, Thoss and Bonbon Custodio teamed in a 12-2 tear.
Then Caguioa and Canaleta went for the kill to the delight of the Ginebra throng, making up majority
of the sellout crowd. The game drew the biggest gate attendance in the season thus far.
The two teams figured in a neck-and-neck battle in the first half ending at 34-32 in favor of
Alaska. (SB)
The scores:
Ginebra 83 - Canaleta 17, Caguioa 16, Cortez 12, Tubid 7, Helterbrand 7, Intal 6, Wilson W. 6,
Villanueva 6, Labagala 4, Mamaril 2, Cervantes 0, Wilson J. 0.
Alaska 72 - Baracael 20, Thoss 16, Dela Cruz 8, Baguio 7, Tenorio 6, Cablay 5, Custodio 4, Reyes 4,
Salamat 2, Eman 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 34-32, 61-51, 83-72
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