Behind a marvelous fourth quarter performance from import, Michael Dunigan, the Barangey Ginebra Gin Kings staved off the Kia Carnival, 90-82 at the Araneta Coliseum.
With the Carnival refusing to budge through three quarters tied at 70, Dunnigan sliced up his exhausted import matchup, PJ Ramos, with a flurry of midrange jumpers off drive-and-dish forays from his guards. The former Tropang Texter, delivered 12 points in the payoff period, tallying a total of 27 points and 11 boards.
The Gin Kings feasted on their open court opportunities in the first half as they easily converted Kia’s turnovers into quick points and their wings, like the athletic wingman, Chris Ellis caught the Carnival’s defense napping and was on the other end of beautiful outlet passes for quick stabs at the hoop. Kia countered Ginebra’s attack with smart plays on offense, using nifty plays to find Brazilian Behemoth, Pj Ramos who had no trouble scoring over Ginebra’s Greg Slaghter and Michael Dunigan, as he scored 18 points right before the half time break. Former La Salle guard, LA Revilla, kept the defense off balance with perfectly-ran pick-and-rolls and finished the half with five assists. Kia, however, continued to struggle with their fouls, putting the Gin Kings at the charity stripe for 26 attempts, with Ginebra converting fourteen, giving room for a 46-45 Ginebra halftime lead.
A valiant effort from Ramos kept the game close in the third period. Ramos continued to tear up the Ginebra front line, dominating the post and drawing fouls but was paltry from the charity stripe in the period as he went two for six. Former Ateneo point guard, LA Tenorio kept his team afloat in the period, playing steady defense and running their half court sets to a tee, keeping the game knotted, 70-70.
Ramos had gassed out by the fourth period as Kia’s locals just could not get anything going aside from passing the ball to their import. The Brazilian finished the game with a 37 points while gobbling up 22 boards.
Ginebra evens their record at 2-2 while the Carnival drops to 1-3.
The Scores
Ginebra – Dunigan 27, Slaughter 14, Tenorio 11, Yeo 11, Caguioa 11, Ellis 8, Mamaril 6, BAracael 6, Aguilar 4, Monfort 2, Pena 0, Urbiztondo 0, Helterbrand 0, Ababou 0, Brondial 0
Kia – Ramos 37, Yee 13, Revilla 9, Avenido 9, Cawaling 6, Pascual 6, Thiele 6, Dehesa 2, Alvarez 2, Bagatsing 2, Poligrates 0, Ighalo 0, Burtsher 0, Buensuceso 0
