Star-studded Kings buck Coffee Masters

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra, a team teeming with talent, barely pulled off another escape act last night, repulsing a gritty Barako Energy Coffee team, 93-90, in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings relied on Eric Menk and reserve guards Willie Miller and Celino Cruz as they overcame a nine-point deficit in the homestretch for a 5-4 closing win-loss record in the first round of the elimination phase.

Down by nine at 81-90 with 2:03 left to play, the Kings toughened up on defense and went to Menk, Miller and Cruz for key baskets that gave them another pulsating victory following a 101-100 squeaker over the Air21 Express a week ago.

In the nightcap, Sta. Lucia outfought Alaska Milk in the crunch, hacking out a 91-87 win in what could well be Kelly Williams’ last game as a Realtor.

SLR and Talk n Text top officials were to finalize their trade deal involving Williams after the game.

“There’s some issue about Kelly. It’s for management to talk about it. What I can say is that I can’t picture my team without my MVP (Williams),” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez on the impending trade.

Barako blew away what could have been another upset win and wound up with a 2-7 card in the initial round of the elims.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico was happy they salvaged the game but far from satisfied on how his team played.

“I’m very frustrated though we won the game. It just wasn’t Ginebra. I’ve been here for eight years. The team we have now is different and I can’t figure why,” said Uichico.

“It’s good we won the game. We barely escaped, just like against Air21. We can’t go on playing like this. We’re barely escaping. How can you win against good teams?” Uichico added.

“Yes, we’re very talented, but sometimes talent doesn’t necessarily win all the time. Maybe, we have to understand our roles. It’s a team game. We have great one-on-one talent but it’s five-on-five,” said Menk.

The 2005 MVP awardee put in eight of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, giving the Kings a boost in their come-from-behind win.

Cruz and Miller also made clutch baskets coming off the bench at endgame, helping Ginebra pull through against their former team.

The Kings came to within one, 89-90, on a three-pointer by Cruz and got the decisive three-point lead, 93-90, on two free throws by Miller.

The Coffee Masters had a chance to send the game into overtime but Al Vergara missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer.

Earlier, Sammy Monroe committed a crucial dribbling violation, wasting Barako’s chance to regain the lead after Ginebra pulled ahead at 91-90.

Mildon Ambres followed up a missed jumper by Miller to cap a key 10-to-nothing run that sent the Kings ahead with time down to 18.6 seconds.

Ambres finished with a huge double-double game with 27 points and 20 rebounds as against Monroe’s 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, six blocks and five steals.

Reed Juntilla made a career-high 23 points and Leo Najorda added 16 as the Coffee Masters put up a tough fight against the fancied Kings.

Juntilla, Najorda and Vergara teamed up in a 14-1 run that had Barako racing ahead, 90-81.

The scores:

First Game

Ginebra 93 – Ambres 27, Menk 20, Hatfield 10, Miller 9, Helterbrand 9, Wilson 7, Caguioa 6, Cruz 3, Villanueva 2, Tubid 0, De Ocampo 0.

Barako 90 – Monroe 27, Juntilla 23, Najorda 16, Gaco 8, Dimaunahan 7, Alonzo 4, Vergara 3, Reyes 2, Menor 0, Duncil 0, Aljamal 0, Hubalde 0.

Quarterscores: 24-20, 45-38, 70-63, 93-90

Second Game

Sta. Lucia 91 – Johnson 34, Williams 15, Reyes 10, Omolon 10, Misolas 6, Mendoza 6, Custodio 2, Gregorio 2, Espinas 2, Aquino 2, Urbiztondo 0, Belano 0. 

Alaska 87 – Simpson 31, Baguio 14, Tenorio 13, De Vance 11, Hugnatan 8, Dela Cruz 6, Borboran 2, Fonacier 2, Eman 0, Thoss 0.

Quarterscores: 14-22, 43-39, 67-61, 91-87