Ginebra outplays Smart-Gilas

By WAYLON GALVEZ

Barangay Ginebra hardly missed it two key players as it streaked to its third straight win by beating the Smart-Gilas national team, 100-72, in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Ronald Tubid scored 22 points, including 10 in the torrid third quarter when the Kings unleashed a 17-4 attack that shattered a 47-47 deadlock and gave them a 64-51 advantage with 4:43 left in the period.

In that run, the 6-foot-2 Tubid scored nine points highlighted by a two three-pointers to put Ginebra, which played minus Eric Menk (fractured right pinky toe) and Mark Caguioa (strained right knee), ahead for good.

Ginebra also got 15 points from reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jayjay Helterbrand, while two other players produced double-double figures with JC Intal making 11 points and 10 rebounds and Rico Villanueva adding 11 points and 11 boards.

Willy Wilson also had eight and 10 boards to underscore Ginebra’s depth.

“We know that Mark and Eric are not there, we’ve got to find ways to fill the spots in the next few weeks,” Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico said. “It’s good now we started healthy, hopefully they’ll get healthy soon.”

The win gave the Kings the early lead with a 3-0 win-loss card, while keeping the Nationals winless in the tournament.

Gilas also played without two of its mainstays, American import CJ Giles, who was in street clothes after he was excused to play by Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman to deal with personal problems, and injured Chris Tiu (left quadriceps).

Uichico said that it could have been different story if the 6-foot-10 Giles had played.

“Siyempre malaking bagay na wala iyong import,” Uichico said. “They’ve got a fluid offense and they’ve got shooters. All they need is experience and the physicality.”

“They’re so young, that’s right idea. Playing together and grow as a team. They can have teamwork. We need to really naturalize, it makes the game easier if we have a big guy,” he added.

The scores:
First Game
Ginebra 100 — Tubid 22, Helterbrand 15, Intal 11, Vilanueva 11, Wilson 8, Cruz 6, Mamaril 6, Baguio 6, Salvacion 6, Kramer 4, Alvarez 3, White 2.
Smart-Gilas 72 — Barroca 20, Al Hussaini 14, Casio 11, Barracael 9, Aguilar 7, Ramos 4, Jazul 3, Cawaling 2, Ballesteros 2, Ababou 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 43-38, 70-58, 100-72.

Source

This may be a loss but I see it as a another learning experience for Smart Gilas.