Kings claim outright berth vs Energy

MANILA, Philippines - Cedric Bozeman and Mark Caguioa teamed up to give Barangay Ginebra a big push in the stretch as the Kings held off the Barako Bull Energy, 102-91, to gain outright semifinal passage in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Bozeman and Caguioa combined for nearly half of Ginebra’s total output then delivered the crucial baskets to bail the Kings out of trouble at the finish.

Bozeman led all scorers with 28 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, while Caguioa added 22, including eight in the payoff period as the Kings closed out their elims stint with five wins against four losses.

In case of any tie, the Kings automatically advance to the next round with a superior quotient. Talk n Text is now also assured itself of a semis spot for the same reason.

“It’s for Mr. Robert Jaworski. That’s the least we can do for him. We should be there when his number is retired,” said Caguioa.

Jaworski’s jersey’s retirement ceremony is set July 8 at the Big Dome. Jaworski won four championships as playing coach of the Ginebra squad.

The Kings squandered a pair of 15-point deficits and needed Bozeman’s and Caguioa’s heroics at endgame to fend off the Energy.

Barako moved on the brink of elimination with at 3-5 slate, needing to beat Meralco tomorrow for a possible playoff shot at the last semis berth.

Meanwhile, B-Meg and Powerade try to push their own semis aspirations as they slug it out in a crucial tiff in Legazpi, Albay today.

“Our import broke down. I don’t know what he was thinking,” said Barako coach Junel Baculi, lamenting a crucial Leroy Hickerson error that hastened their downfall.

Hickerson drew an illegal travel call right after Caguioa pumped in a three-pointer giving Ginebra a 96-87 lead with 1:42 left to play.

Ginebra cashed in on that Hickerson error with Caguioa nailing another big shot, re-establishing a double-digit advantage for the Kings with a little over a minute left to play.

Bozeman had his lethal baskets earlier helping the Kings back on their feet after losing a 15-point spread and falling behind at 78-79 and 80-81.

Bozeman and Caguioa piled up 14 points each as the Kings sat on a 54-43 cushion at the half.

Alex Cabagnot scored the winning basket in the closing seconds as Petron Blaze survived a scare versus Air21, 98-97, and assured itself of at least a playoff for the last semis berth in the nightcap.