Crippled Kings show heart, poise

Barangay Ginebra, a team steeped in comeback lores and winning tradition over tough opposition, relived that role again last night, smothering Talk ’N Text with a stirring 74-63 decision.

Short in manpower but not in fighting heart, the Kings, minus one import and three ace local players, jolted the Phone Pals to snap a two-game skid in the Samsung PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ben Davis worked double time at the paint while his teammates simply kept their focus, outdoing themselves in the process and pulling off the most stunning victory in the tournament thus far.

The Kings hobbled with a depleted lineup with Silas Mills sent home by management because of his attitude and Jun Limpot joining Vergel Meneses and Banjo Calpito in the injury list.

But coach Chris Calilan and his chargers came out strong and poured on the heat on the shell-shocked Phone Pals in the second half for their second win in five starts.

"Eto talagang tsamba, minsan lang nangyayari ang ganitong panalo. Inspirado ang mga player, gustong magpakita sa management," said Calilan, who turns 50 today.

Mills’ replacement, Chris Porter, flies in from the United States today. Porter, 24 and standing 6-foot-7, is a product of Auburn University and played for Golden State in the NBA.

Sta. Lucia Realty likewise stopped a two-game losing skein as it welcomed the entry of Chris Clay into its fold with a 66-62 victory over RP Selecta in the second game.

Davis fired 25 points and had 14 rebounds and found able backups in Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand who combined for 35 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Helterbrand made his presence felt the most in the third quarter, scoring 11 and fuelling a decisive turnaround by the Kings.

Down by six, 28-34, at the end of the first half, the Kings rode high on the exploits of Helterbrand as they surged ahead at 55-49, going into the final quarter.

Ginebra padded that lead to 62-52 on a 7-3 opening run in the fourth quarter and never looked back from there although Davis picked up a fourth foul with 5:57 left in the game.

Jerald Honeycutt and Danny Johnson remained on a personal slump, shooting badly from the floor and finishing with a combined output of only 29 points.

Talk ’N Text suffered a second straight loss after three successive wins.