Streaking Kings prolong agony of limping Bulls

Barangay Ginebra continued to draw solid games from its reserves in the absence of Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa, clobbering Red Bull, 83-76, to move back in the upper half of the chart in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup elimination round at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Ronald Tubid churned out a double-double game with 15 points and 11 rebounds, Sunday Salvacion knocked in three treys and wound up with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists while Paul Artadi contributed 10 points, six assists, four steals and four rebounds as the Kings made it four in a row and again breached the .500 mark with a 7-6 win-loss card.

“We’re really lucky the guys are doing the best they can to fill in the void left by Mark (Caguioa) and Jayjay (Helterbrand). Everybody’s contributing to the team’s cause in their own little way,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“We’re within striking distance of the leaders. Hopefully, we can sustain the game we’re playing and, gain at least an outright quarters seat,” Uichico added.

Junthy Valenzuela, in his second game in his return from the injury list, also had significant numbers with 12 points, five rebounds and one steal as the Kings got back at the Bulls who handed them a 94-100 defeat in their first meeting.

The Bulls suffered a seventh straight loss and slid deeper in the cellar with a 3-10 record.

The Photokina Marketing franchise has gone winless in this all-Filipino tourney for almost five weeks now, the longest losing skein by any team in the league since Welcoat dropped all of its last 11 games in last year’s Philippine Cup.

Red Bull is now in danger of missing the playoffs, being two full games behind Coca-Cola (5-8)

The Kings seized control in the second quarter, led by as many as 17 in the third and sustained their charge in the final period for the win pulling the team within two games of the pacesetting Alaska Aces (9-4) and half-game behind the second-running San Miguel Beermen (8-6).

In the second game, Solomon Mercado and Rob Wainwright sank a charity each in the last 27 seconds then Rain or Shine put up a good defense as the Elasto Painters scored an 80-79 nail-biter over the Sta. Lucia Realtors.