Kings, import take power off B-Boys

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra showed good chemistry in its initial outing with import Nate Brumfield, blasting Meralco Bolts, 115-98, at the start of the PBA Commissioners Cup at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City last night.

The Kings and Brumfield complemented well with one another on both ends of the court, fashioning out a solid job that resulted to a rout in what was expected to be a close game.

Brumfield, Ginebra’s highly touted recruit who starred for the Oklahoma Baptist U in the US NCAA, churned out a near triple-double job with 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in his PBA debut.

The entire Ginebra team worked on a resolute defense as it neutralized the B-Boys’ dreaded individual skills, enabling the Kings to take a roaring start in the mid-season conference.

The tournament will have its first regular double-header at the Cuneta Astrodome Wednesday pitting Powerade versus Alaska Milk at 5 p.m. then B-MEG Derby Ace against Rain or Shine at 7:30 p.m.

Philippine Cup champion Talk n Text and runner-up San Miguel Beer open their Commissioners Cup campaigns against Smart Gilas and Air21, respectively, at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Friday.

Ginebra, the Philippine Cup third placer, stamped its class on Meralco with Mark Caguioa, Willie Miller and Ronald Tubid also delivering double-digit outputs.

Maturity and familiarity with one another seemed to work well for Ginebra, ranged against a re-tooled Meralco team.

Sol Mercado, Meralco’s prized recruit from Rain or Shine, banged away 19 points but Macmac Cardona struggled for only six.

Tony Danridge had a decent debut as Meralco reinforcement, leading the team with 30 points.

The Kings established control early and dominated the B-Boys almost throughout the contest.

Ginebra opened a double-digit spread right in the first quarter then led by 17 points thrice in the second period.

Caguioa, Miller and Brumfield led the Ginebra charge in taking the half at 59-42.

Tubid tossed in all his 15 points in the third period, helping Ginebra sustain its charge for an 87-74 lead going into the final canto.

The Kings had their first 17-point bulge at 52-35 on a dizzying 16-2 attack highlighted by baskets by Caguioa and Miller from afar and conversions by Brunfield inside the paint.

Ginebra built an early double-digit spread at 22-12 but Mercado delivered back-to-back baskets coming off the bench, triggering a 10-to-nothing run that tied the count at 22-all.

The Kings, however, quickly re-established control with Mike Cortez pumping in two charities then Miller coming through with back-to-back baskets to push Ginebra 32-24 up at the start of the second quarter.

Brumfield had 21, Caguioa 13 and Miller nine through the first 24 minutes of play.