Ginebra Xmas Day spirit spooks Alaska

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra dished out its patented escape act, this time from 20 points down and drew the Christmas Day cheers from its rabid fans with a 97-90 victory over Alaska Milk in their sudden death duel for the last semifinal berth in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome last night.

Mark Caguioa and Ronald Tubid provided the firepower with 20 and 16 points, respectively, with three other teammates scoring in double figures and the rest of the Kings preserved their exploits with a resolute defense to secure a 2-1 series win in the quarterfinal phase of the season-opening conference.

“We’re a little bit lucky in the game and we played great defense. There’s a certain amount of luck and a certain amount of hardwork as well,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

The Kings face the San Miguel Beermen in a best-of-seven series starting Jan. 5.

Meanwhile, elimination round topnotcher Talk n Text and B-Meg Derby Ace dispute the other finals berth starting today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Ginebra struggled for 17 points in the opening quarter and allowed Alaska to double its output in the same stretch. But the Kings clamped down on defense and held the Aces to just seven points in the second period, enabling the crowd favorites to close within, 36-41, at the turn after falling by as many as 20 (8-28) in the opening quarter.

The Kings, who dropped the opener of their best-of-three series, 101-104, before forcing a rubber match with a 94-76 rout, thus won their sixth victory in seven Christmas Day appearances. Their only loss came at the hands of the Texters four years ago.

Ginebra also became the ninth squad to win a best-of-three playoff series after dropping Game One. The last team to accomplish the feat was Burger King, which pulled the rug from under the defunct Sta. Lucia Realty in the 2009 Fiesta Conference.

Joe De Vance, a candidate for the MVP trophy after leading the statistical race going into the semis, sizzled in the early going as he fired 13 points in the first quarter alone in a big rebound from his paltry seven-point output in Game Two.

But De Vance lost his touch in the face of the tough Ginebra defense, groping for just seven points the rest of the way. He wound up 20 points.

A commotion also ensued towards the end of the contest after De Vance and Tubid were called for a double-technical foul with the Ginebra gunner down on the floor.

Uichico and Alaska mentor Tim Cone also ended the game on a bitter note after they refused to make the customary post-game handshake.

The Kings shut down the Aces in the fourth quarter with their pesky defense to break loose from what had appeared to be a tight finish after the third period ended at 59-60.

The Aces jumped the gun on the Kings early as they roared to a blistering 28-8 start keyed by the high-scoring tandem of Joe De Vance and LA Tenorio, who combined for 21 points in that stretch.

Ginebra, however, regained its bearing and countered with its own attack behind Ronald Tubid and Willy Wilson, who helped the Kings force a 36-all with over three minutes left in the second period.

But Alaska closed out the half with a 5-0 run to go into the break with a 41-36 lead.

It was see-saw battle from there as they battled through nine lead changes and five deadlocks before the Kings, with Tubid scoring seven straight points and JC Intal scoring on a buzzer-beating layup, seized control at 60-59 heading into the fourth.

Game today (Ynares Center, Antipolo City)

5:30 p.m. – B-Meg Derby Ace vs Talk n Text