Ginebra stops 'Rain', levels series

MANILA, Philippines – Jayjay Helterbrand scattered 34 points in the first three quarters then David Noel and Ronald Tubid took over in the clutch as Barangay Ginebra got back at Rain or Shine, 103-98, last night to even their Final Four duel in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Astrodome.

Noel and Tubid combined for the Gin Kings’ last 13 points as Helterbrand slowed down after a fiery stint, scuttling the Elasto Painters’ bid to post a two-game-to-nil lead in their best-of-seven semis series.

The Ginebra reinforcement saved his best for last, coming through with one crucial play after another at endgame to finish with 24 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and one shot block.

He stole off Don Dulay, scored on a breakaway slam then buried a three-pointer to highlight his endgame exploits. The Kings thus avenged their 95-101 defeat in Game One last Wednesday marred by a shattering endgame meltdown.

For a while, the match looked headed for a repeat of Game One where the Elasto Painters, trailing most of the game, pulled off a stirring come-from-behind win.

“It’s hard to explain, we’re dominating the game but we just couldn’t put them away,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“They just kept on coming back. They would hit timely shots when we’re trying to blow the game open,” Uichico said. “We have to get over this. We have to go back to the drawing board and see what’s happening.”

The Kings, boosted by Helterbrand’s torrid shooting, led by as many as 13 points early on before taking the half at 54-45.

But the Elasto Painters kept coming back and even threatened to steal the game again as they surged ahead at 97-95 heading into the last two minutes of the contest.

Tubid and Noel, however, eased the pressure by combining for six straight points, shoving Ginebra to the lead again at 101-97 with 32 seconds left.

Jai Lewis split his charities in the ensuing Rain or Shine possession then Tubid calmly sank his own free throws in the next play as Ginebra secured the victory.

Helterbrand actually had a chance to improve his career-best output of 35 points recorded nine years ago but the Ginebra ace guard missed a breakaway lay-up just before the final buzzer sounded.

He strung up eight three-pointers in a splendid 34-point game spiked by five rebounds and the same number of assists.

The two teams figured in a shootout from the long range with the Kings firing a total of 16 treys as against the 12 of the Painters, who put up a good fight despite the absence of injured stalwarts Sol Mercado and Ryan Arana.

NOTES: Ginebra stalwart Mark Caguioa is back in town although he’s out for the rest of the season. Caguioa arrived from the US yesterday morning, sporting a mohawk hairdo. He watched Game Two of the Ginebra-Rain or Shine semis series from behind the Kings’ bench....The PBA Commissioner’s Office has extended to June 26 the deadline for draft application among Fil-foreign players, giving them enough time to complete their requirements.