Ginebra grabs last quarters berth

Eric Menk outdid himself and Barangay Ginebra outlasted Shell, 69-64, in a game that was close throughout to salvage the last berth in the Samsung PBA All-Filipino Cup quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Menk came up with a huge game with 31 points and 21 rebounds and he himself delivered the killer blow on Shell as he broke the Turbochargers’ make-or-break offensive play in the final seven seconds, clinching the win that sent Ginebra to the quarterfinals.

"Today is more of a relief than a celebration. It’s a big relief as we’re going to the quarters where we’re back to zero-zero," said Menk as he powered the Kings past the Turbochargers and into the Final Eight, joining early qualifiers Red Bull Thunder, Talk N Text Phone Pals, Coca-Cola Tigers, San Miguel Beermen, FedEx Express, Alaska Aces and Sta. Lucia Realtors.

"Parang natanggalan kami ng tinik. Nabigyan kami ng panibagong pagasa dahil nabura ang mga heart-breaking losses," said Ginebra coach Allan Caidic. "Hopefully this win becomes a springboard for us in the quarters."

The Kings remain bracketed with the Thunder, the Phone Pals and the Tigers in Group B in the quarterfinals. With all the teams starting from scratch, the four teams play one round robin with the top two teams advancing to the cross-over semifinals against the top two finishers in the other group.

The quarterfinals start next Wednesday after the All-Star Festivities May 30-June 1.

Menk carried the bulk of the fight for Ginebra with practically all his teammates struggling in the contest.

The 6-foot-6 Fil-Am slotman scattered 22 points in the first three quarters and added nine in the payoff period, including a charity that pushed Ginebra ahead to stay at 65-64 with time down to 35.2 seconds.

Romel Adducul pulled down the rebound after a missed jumper by Tony Dela Cruz and Bal David canned in two charities off a foul by Dale Singson as the Kings increased their lead to three, 67-64, with nine ticks left.

Shell coach Perry Ronquillo quickly sued for time to map a play for a possible equalizer.

But Menk dashed whatever hopes left for Shell as he intercepted the throw-in by Chris Calaguio to Dela Cruz.

Fouled by Mike Hrabak, Menk made both charities for the final count.