Kings overpower Fajardo-less Boosters, Express finally win

MANILA, Philippines -- Barangay Ginebra handled with relative ease the token challenge put up by the Junmar Fajardo-less Petron Blaze side, pounding out a 97-83 win in their Christmas Day showdown to seize the solo lead in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

What’s perhaps the only surprise was the Boosters lording it over the boards, 30-18, in the first half.

But with Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter asserting themselves in the final half, the Gin Kings slowly pulled away en route to a fifth straight win witnessed by the predominantly Ginebra crowd of over 20,000 in the Pasay City venue.

Aguilar and Slaughter combined for 42 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks while Mark Caguioa contributed 18 markers, four boards and an assist as the Kings broke free from a tie with the Boosters atop the heap with an 8-1 win-loss record.

The Boosters moved down to 7-2, just half-game ahead of the third-running Talk n Text Tropang Texters at 6-2.

“Yes, we’re now on top but it’s still a long tourney,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.

“We really can’t relax. See what happened in the first half? Maybe because we knew Junmar won’t play, we relaxed and they even beat us in rebounding,” Agustin also said. “Kami ang may seven-footer, tapos talo pa kami sa rebounds.”

With Fajardo out with a bruised right knee, Arwind Santos, Doug Kramer, Chris Lutz and Chris Ross tried to carry the fight Petron, but they just couldn’t keep in step as the Kings hit big strides in the second half.

“Big key in our breakaway was our transition defense. As we stopped their fastbreaks we seized control of the game,” said Agustin.

Earlier in the night, Joseph Yeo, Macmac Cardona and Asi Taulava churned out personal season high numbers, and Air21 gained some relief in topping Globalport, 109-103, in overtime.

Yeo came through with a career-first triple-double job of 19 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds while Cardona and Taulava both logged season-best of 28 points apiece as the Express stopped a three-game slump and nailed a second win in 10 outings.

Air21 coach Franz Pumaren was hopeful they could make a run as he hinted at new recruits filling holes in their lineup in the next few days.

“One would notice that though we’re still down in the standings, we’re still very much upbeat. It’s because I’ve been talking to the management and they’re willing to give us more support. There are new guys coming in. It’s in the works,” said Pumaren.
Pumaren said they’re beefing up their point guard and big forward rotations.

With their current rosters, the Express stood their ground in a tight, fierce battle with the Batang Pier, and went on to get even with Globalport.

In their initial tiff on Nov. 23, the Batang Pier, largely behind Terrence Romeo’s 34-point explosion, drubbed the Express, 114-100.

Cardona, however, was still out in sickbay then.

The former La Salle stalwart delivered the biggest baskets as the Express won the rematch and handed the Batang Pier a fifth loss against four wins.

With the Express protecting a shaky 105-103 lead, Cardona scored on a tricky move off Sol Mercado and later nailed two charities to seal the win.