Kings reserve quarterfinals seat with win over Elasto Painters

26 Dec 2008

Eric Menk once again displayed his MVP form, getting 15 points and 10 rebounds to power the Brgy. Ginebra Kings to the quarterfinals with a low-scoring 63-58 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2008-2009 KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum.The win creates a three-way tie for third among Brgy. Ginebra, Rain or Shine and Sta. Lucia. With the highest quotient, the Kings gets the third spot, Rain or Shine 4th and Sta. Lucia 5th."Talagang merry ang Christmas," said Barangay Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico as they scored the win guaranteeing the team automatic quarters passage."At the start of the conference, we're just thinking of surviving. Now we're in a spot everybody wants to be in if you miss the outright semis," Uichico added.The 3rd seeding for the Kings will mean they will be facing the wildcard phase winner.Mabigat ang seeding namin but I take it anytime because we could have been in the wildcard round. Maraming salamat talaga we're here," Uichico said. "Come quarters, iba na naman yon. We'll try to get healthy. Hopefully, makabalik si Rafi Reavis."Ronald Tubid helped out the Kings' case with 11 points and 10 boards while Junjun Cabatu and Jayjay Helterbrand chipped in 10 points apiece.Jay-R Reyes who finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds, and Gabe Norwood, with 10 and 9, were the only doble-digit scorer for the Elasto Painters.
Scores:
Barangay Ginebra 63 -- Menk 15, Tubid 11, Cabatu 10, Helterbrand 10, Valenzuela 7, Mamaril 4, Escalona 2, Wilson 2, Crisano 2, Pacana 0, Artadi 0, Salvacion 0.

Rain or Shine 58 -- Reyes 12, Norwood 10, Salangsang 8, Arana 7, Mercado 6, Wainwright 5, Tang 4, Ibanes 3, Andaya 2, Dulay 1, Isip 0, Ejercito 0.

Quarterscores: 20-14, 37-21, 51-38, 63-58