Kings refuse to fold up, tame Tigers

MANILA, Philippines –  Barangay Ginebra, humbled by newcomer Meralco on opening day, redeemed itself with an 82-75 win over Powerade in the first road game in the 36th PBA season at the Batangas City Coliseum last night.

The Kings blew away an early 15-point lead but recovered in time to salvage the game kicking off the tourney’s weekend road shows dubbed Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour.

Eric Menk, Ronald Tubid and Rudy Hatfield delivered crucial plays at the finish as Ginebra broke into the win-column, tying Powerade at 1-1.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and Talk n Text, among the pre-season favorites, clash in an interesting match at 6:30 p.m. today at Cuneta Astrodome.

Both teams go for a second straight win following an auspicious start in the tourney. The Tropang Texters humbled the defending champions B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados, 87-76, Wednesday while the Beermen clobbered the Air21 Express, 100-86, Friday.

Meralco likewise seeks win No. 2 in going up against Barako Bull in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser.

It’s also an interesting setto pitting Yousif Aljamal, Pong Escobal and Ogie Menor versus their former team.

The Kings squandered a 50-35 halftime lead but pulled through just the same behind a seven-to-nothing closing run by Menk, Tubid and Hatfield.

Largely behind the exploits of Gary David, the Tigers charged back and caught up with the Kings at 71-all.

The two teams figured in another deadlock at 75-all, then the Tigers sagged and collapsed, going scoreless in the last 3:37 of play.

Going down the drain was David’s 27-point explosion.

David, the scoring champion last year with an average of 18.2 points an outing, has emerged as the early leader in this year’s scoring race. He made 25 points in leading the Tigers to a 111-103 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Wednesday.

Ginebra spoiled David’s productive night with a balanced offense that saw six Kings make at least eight points.

Willie Miller paced the team with 15 with Yancy de Ocampo adding 11, Tubid and Hatfield 10 apiece, Menk nine and Willy Wilson eight.

Tubid banged away back-to-back baskets at the finish to make it 81-75. 

The Kings opened an early double-digit spread, 22-12, on a 12-to-nothing run and roared on in the second quarter to take the half at 50-35.