Kings assert might on Aces, gain semis

Game today (Cuneta Astrodome)

5 p.m. – Talk n Text vs San Mig Coffee

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra returned last night with the awesome form that made it the toast of the elimination round, crushing Alaska Milk, 108-95, in a knockout setto to advance to the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup Final Four at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Disappointed in the last game, the Kings blasted from the opening block and played relentlessly for 48 minutes to end the Aces’ amazing streak of three victories in do-or-die matches.

The Kings, the playoffs top seeds, completely outclassed the Aces with an A-1 performance that had the dominant Ginebra gallery rocking all game long.

Ginebra hardly gave Alaska a chance as it pulled away right in the opening quarter, 39-21, and pressed on all the way to the finish, thus, grabbing the third seat in the best-of-seven semifinals.

Reigning three-time all-Filipino champion Talk n Text and Governors Cup titleholder San Mig Coffee fight it out for the last semis slot in their own KO battle at 5 p.m. today also at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Final Four match-ups pit Rain or Shine versus Petron Blaze and Ginebra against either Talk n Text or San Mig Coffee.

“From our practice (Friday), I felt the great intensity of the boys. It went even higher today. And with the game we put up, no way we would lose the match,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.

“It’s the first time we scored this much off turnovers and offensive rebounds. The energy was really there,” Agustin also said.

Coming out with an indomitable spirit, the Kings led by as many as 31 in the match that was lopsided but not lacking in action and drama.

Calvin Abueva and Mark Caguioa were both assessed a flagrant infraction in the first half.

Turning 27 yesterday, Japeth Aguilar gave himself a birthday present in the form of a career-best 29-point performance.

He scattered 19 points in the first half, the biggest ones drawing chants of “M-V-P, M-V-P, M-V-P” from the crowd.

The 6-foot-9 forward went 10-of-15 from the field and 9-of-16 from the stripe, matching his previous best output with over three minutes left in the game and eventually setting a new mark with two charities in the last 30 seconds of play.

The other Ginebra core players also stepped up in an impeccable game that caught the Aces by surprise.

LA Tenorio provided much spunk in the backcourt, coming through with 22 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals in 34 minutes of action.

His Alaska counterpart Jvee Casio topscored for the losing team with only 16 markers.

Chris Ellis, Mac Baracael, Marc Caguioa and Greg Slaughter contributed at least 11 each for the Kings who sizzled with 69 in the first half – the most by any team in a half in the season.

The Kings pounded the Aces with 12 fastbreak points, 10 second-chance points and 23 markers off Alaska errors in ripping the game apart right in the first half.