NBA vet makes big impact for Kings vs Aces

Barangay Ginebra drew strength and a new wave of confidence from a hard-working import, Jerald Honeycutt, to pull off an emphatic 96-83 win over Alaska Milk last night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena.

Honeycutt, playing in place of Ryan Fletcher who was put in the injury list with a sore groin, unravelled a string of credentials — a top collegiate player of Louisiana and a legitimate NBA player with stints with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phildelphia 76ers — in an impressive debut for Ginebra as the Kings bounced back from a sorry loss to the Sta. Lucia Realtors Saturday to even their win-loss record to 3-3.

Honeycutt, who had been at stand-by with Ginebra for two weeks as he tried to shed off extra pounage, gave the Kings a big lift as they dealt the Aces a second straight loss following four successive victories.

The former University of Tulane ace scored 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds and issued six assists in a solid all-around game, sending the Ginebra coaching staff in a dilemma whether to reactivate Fletcher or keep the new import in the roster.

"No doubt, Honeycutt played very well, but we have a week rest so we’ll still evaluate many things. Depende rin kung magi-improve ang condition ni Ryan (Fletcher)," said Ginebra coach Allan Caidic.

Practising twice a day with the Kings since his arrival two weeks back, Honeycutt found no problem blending with his teammates.

And with the team playing cohesively, the Kings held their ground against the Aces although their rivals dominated the boards. Alaska had 51 rebounds to Ginebra’s 32.