The Kings came out strong and withstood the Energy’s second-half fightback as they made it four in a row and tied the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at fourth place at 8-5.
Ginebra secured a seat in the Top Six while Barako settled for seventh place, facing a quarterfinals opponent with a twice-to-beat advantage.
The Kings play either the Elasto Painters or the Meralco Bolts in the quarters.
“We achieved the first step of avoiding the top seed or the second seed. Nonetheless, we’ll continue to play hard and see where we fall,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.
Talk n Text and Ginebra play Sunday merely for placing.
“We need to keep playing. You don’t come into the game with a mindset that you’re playing a non-bearing. Wala dapat non-bearing. Somehow, it will carry over or you create bad habits,” said Tanquingcen.
Mike Cortez banged away five triples and finished with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block while Mark Caguioa came off the bench to add 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Rob Labagala and KG Canaleta had significant help as the Kings eventually eased the Energy out in the fight for spot in the Top Six.
Caguioa and Canaleta delivered instant offense coming off the bench, fuelling an early Ginebra breakaway.
The Kings led by as many as 20 in the second quarter before settling for a 15-point lead, 47-32, at the turn.
Caguioa had amassed nine points, three rebounds and the same number of assists while Canaleta had had seven points and four rebounds by the half.
Stepping up in the second quarter, the Kings erected a 20-point lead at 47-27.
Leo Najorda and Willie Miller, however, went firing in the third quarter, and the Energy rallied and pulled even at 67-all.
A turnaround jumper by Danny Seigle at the start of the payoff period even carried Barako ahead at 69-67.
The Kings, however, regained their bearing and salvaged the crucial win. (SB)
The scores:
GINEBRA 88 - Cortez 17, Caguioa 16, Labagala 14, Canaleta 13, Wilson 8, Villanueva 7, Tubid 6, Intal 4, Menk 3, Maliksi 0, Mamaril 0.
BARAKO 83 - Miller 18, Najorda 14, Ababou 12, Arboleda 11, Allado 9, Seigle 8, Pena 6, Artadi 3, Pennisi 2, Salvador 0, Salvacion 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 47-32, 67-67, 88-83
source pba.com.ph
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