Depleted Kings enhance q’final bid

Barangay Ginebra kept thriving despite the rash of player injuries–losing Jayjay Helterbrand this time- but still came through with a strong finish to beat Sta. Lucia, 108-101, and firm up its bid for the last slot in the Gran Matador Brandy PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Eric Menk and Mark Caguioa took the cudgesl for the Kings with the ouster of red-hot Helterbrand on hip injury, combining for 23 points in the payoff period to lead the Kings to the crucial victory.

Helterbrand had made 21 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals before checking out with 59 seconds left in the third after hurting his left hip flexor muscle.

The Kings, however, just continued to buck injuries to key players, including Romel Adducul, Rodney Santos, Andy Seigle, Mike Holper and Aris Dimaunahan. They made it two in a row in the wildcard round and improved their carry-over win-loss record to 9-9.

They try to clinch the last slot in the quarters in a crucial setto versus the Air21 Express tomorrow.

"I don’t know why this (injury to his players) keeps on coming. But one good thing about this team, it always finds ways to win whatever happens," said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Tanquingcen said their poise and energy coupled by some breaks at endgame spelled the difference in their conquest of the Realtors.

Despite moving out of conention, the Realtors put up a good fight but fell short of their bid to spoil the Kings’ run.

They close out their woeful campaign this season versus the Talk n Text Phone Pals in tomorrow’s 4:10 p.m. curtain-raising.

Paolo Mendoza, playing extended minutes with regular relievers Alex Cabagnot and Jimwell Torion out on injury, led all scorers with 27 points.

Menk had a double-double game with 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Kings, who also drew huge numbers from Helterbrand, Caguioa, Manny Ramos and Kalani Ferreria.

Ramos, enjoying long minutes in the absence of Adducul, Seigle and Holper, had a career high 17 points that went with nine rebounds.

"Our starters will always be there, but guys like Manny Ramos are the ones who are really helping us a lot now," said Tanquingcen.

The Realtors hit heavily from afar early on, converting eight of their 15 three-point attempts as they took control in the first half.

Mendoza accounted for six of those treys and the Realtors led by as many as 12 points before settling for a 52-49 edge at halftime.

The Realtors shot 54.1 percent from the field to make up for their meager production on the other fronts of the game. They were beaten on rebounds, assists and steals and had more turnovers.

Curiously, the Kings took only three attempts from the three-point zone, making one courtesy of Allan Salangsang.

They flexed their muscles hard at the paint with Menk pulling down eight rebounds and scoring 11 points. Ramos and Ferreria had five caroms each and combined for 14 points.