Kings march to semis

MANILA, Philippines - Foiled the last time, Barangay Ginebra didn’t allow itself frustrated the second time.

The Kings played with great resolve after being stalled by the Alaska Milk Aces Friday, clobbering the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 114-71, in the most lopsided game in the league in three years to gain the second outright semifinals seat in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo last night.

“We just found ourselves to be so lucky tonight. While we couldn’t convert our shots the last time, we shot the lights out of the playing venue tonight,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

The Kings came back bristling from a loss to the Aces Friday, dealing the Elasto Painters their worst defeat in franchise history.

Joining the San Miguel Beermen in an early entry into the semis, the Kings will be taking at least a three-week respite before resuming their title-retention campaign in this import-reinforced tourney.

Ginebra is seeded in the semis in the lower bracket. Its Final Four opponent is either Rain or Shine, Barako Bull, Purefoods or Talk n Text.

Relegated to being the third seed, the Elasto Painters have to get past the Energy Boosters in the wildcard round and either the Giants or the Tropang Texters in the quarterfinals to set a semis confrontation with the Kings. They will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage over the Energy Boosters.

San Miguel is the top seed in the top bracket, and the Beermen have to contend with either the Burger King Whoppers, the Alaska Milk Aces, the Coca-Cola Tigers or the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the semis.

Earlier in the day, Coca-Cola topped Alaska Milk, 81-74, in their playoff for eighth spot at the close of the classification round.