Noel's triple-double powers Kings

MANILA, Philippines - David Noel struggled with his shooting but still dished out with a triple-double outing to lead Barangay Ginebra to a 100-94 victory over Burger King in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Astrodome last night.

Noel, a former North Carolina Tar Heel who took over from Rod Nealy, groped for form with a 6-of-16 field-goal stint but finished with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, helping the Kings stretch their streak to three games and improve their win-loss record to 4-5.

Eric Menk and Jayjay Helterbrand also figured in the Kings thumping of the Whoppers whom they tied at sixth place behind the San Miguel Beermen, the Sta. Lucia Realtors, the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Purefoods Giants.

Burger King topped Ginebra, 110-103, in their initial encounter.

Menk also wound up with 22 points that went on top of six rebounds while Helterbrand chipped in 19 points, eight assists and three rebounds.

Menk, slowly regaining the form that made him the league MVP in 2005, churned out his second straight 20-point performance he capped with a crucial six-point binge at the finish to help deal Burger King its third loss in a row.

Dishing off the pass to Menk for the basket that made it 100-91, Noel completed his triple-double job, duplicating the earlier feats of Brian Hamilton and Jeff Varem.

“We still don’t know Noel’s overall game but from the looks of things, he’s a hard worker,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico of their new reinforcement.