Ginebra gets wake-up call, rips Sta Lucia

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra showed a marked improvement in its game as it followed up a three-point decision over Barako Bull with a 102-85 lashing of Sta. Lucia Realty in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Getting a mouthful from coach Jong Uichico after barely pulling through versus Barako, the Kings responded to the challenge, pulling one solid game together to start their campaign in the second round of the elimination phase on a bright note.

Ambres Mildon came through with 21 points and 14 rebounds with Ronald Tubid, Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, Eric Menk and Rudy Hatfield providing significant help as the Kings humbled the Realtors in their first game after giving away Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes.

The Kings improved to 6-4 while the Realtors dropped to 4-6.

“We can’t judge ourselves with this game considering it’s Sta. Lucia’s first game after the Kelly trade. But we certainly saw positive things. The guys played more as a team today. They tried their best,” said Uichico.

“There’s fire in our game and that’s something we could build on for our tough games ahead. We have to improve further as we’re to play next Alaska Milk then San Miguel,” Uichico added.

“The game only showed that we need to adjust on so many things. We have a lot to learn, especially on execution,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“Our new acquisitions look okay. They’re good players to fill up what we’d lost in our lineup,” Fernandez said of Ali Peek, Nic Belasco, Yousif Aljamal, Pong Escobal and Ogie Menor.

Peek started at center spot and he got seven rebounds, five points, two steals and one assist in 22 minutes of play.

Aljamal had a better debut as a Sta. Lucia player, knocking in four three-pointers and adding four rebounds, one assist and one steal while subbing for Bitoy Omolon at two-guard spot.

“The guy who has big shoes to fill in is Nic Belasco. He needs to step up big time if he’s to approximate the numbers used to deliver by Kelly,” Fernandez said.

San Miguel made a key run towards the end of the second period then sustained the momentum in the final half as the Beermen stretched their hot streak to eight games with a 104-80 walloping of the Barako Energy Coffee Masters in the second game.

Gabe Freeman topscored with 23 points while Danny Ildefonso got a double-double game with 12 points and 10 rebounds, leading SMB to its ninth win in 10 games overall.