Kings, B Pier win, enter knockout stage

Games today (MOA Arena)

3 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Blackwater

5:15 p.m. – Talk n Text vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra and Globalport repulsed Star and Barako Bull in their respective Christmas Day duels to advance to the knockout stage of the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

The Gin Kings rose from the grave in regulation play and beat out the Hotshots, 92-89, in an epic overtime battle before a crowd of almost 22,000 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Earlier, Globalport, struggling on slow break early on, shifted to a running game in the second half and rolled past Barako Bull, 94-85.

Ginebra and Globalport clash in a knockout setto Sunday to determine which of them plays Alaska Milk in a best-of-seven semifinal duel.

LA Tenorio drained a trey at the buzzer as the Kings outlasted the Hotshots in a battle of three-pointers in overtime. It could well go down as among the greatest comeback wins in league history, with the Kings overcoming an 18-point deficit in the last seven minutes and eight in the final minute.

The Kings even had a chance to win it right away in regulation but Sol Mercado muffed a breakaway layup at the buzzer.

In overtime, the two teams engaged in a classic shooting contest from afar with Tenorio and Mercado firing away two each for Ginebra as against the three of Mark Barroca and Alex Mallari.

“We got an extra Christmas gift,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

“I had mixed emotions. I feel bad for Jason (Webb). I don’t want to beat Star like this. But I’m happy for the fans,” Cone also said.    

Imposing their game in their return from the halftime huddle, the Batang Pier seized control in the third quarter and went on to deliver the knockout blow on the Energy.

Terrence Romeo put in a third 33-point game in the tourney while Stanley Pringle came up with a double-double game with 15 points and 13 rebounds leading the Batang Pier to the Christmas Day victory.

“We struggled in the first half as we came out playing without energy. In the second half, we played the Globalport game, we ran and picked up a good rhythm,” said Globalport coach Pido Jarencio.

“The guys stepped up as they’re determined to make the semifinals,” Jarencio also said.

Pushing the tempo of the game, the Batang Pier stemmed the tide in their favor at 59-49 on a 13-to-nothing run.

As the Energy closed in at 73-77 midway through the fourth, Romeo and Pringle fired away four triples in a 13-5 attack that settled the outcome of the game.

Romeo connected with six treys in all to highlight a third 33-point job in their last eight games.

The Energy outgunned the Batang Pier early on on the way to a 48-41 spread at the half.

Josh Urbiztondo rifled in two three-pointers and totaled 11 in the first two quarters of play. But he was held to a single point in the second half.

Willy Wilson led the losing team with another double-double effort with 15 markers and the same number of rebounds.

Meanwhile, third ranked Rain or Shine and sixth seed Talk n Text go for the kill versus Blackwater and NLEX in Day Two of playoff action tonight in the same venue.

The Elasto Painters and the Elite clash at 3 p.m. then the Tropang Texters and the Road Warriors collide at 5:15 p.m.

The survivor in these matchups advances to the semifinals versus San Miguel Beer.     

Meanwhile, third-ranked Rain or Shine and sixth seed Talk n Text go for the kill versus Blackwater and NLEX in Day Two of playoff action tonight in the same venue.

The Elasto Painters and the Elite clash at 3 p.m. then the Tropang Texters and the Road Warriors collide at 5:15 p.m.

The survivor in these matchups advances to the semifinal versus San Miguel Beer.     

The scores: 

First Game

GLOBALPORT 94 – Romeo 33, Pringle 15, Washington 9, Mamaril 8, Jensen 7, Sumang 6, Yeo 6, Kramer 4, Maierhofer 4, Semerad 2, Hayes 0, Isip 0, Uyloan 0.

BARAKO 85 – Wilson 15, Monfort 12, Urbiztondo 12, Intal 11, Pennisi 9, Baracael 8, Brondial 8, Fortuna 4, Lanete 4, Sorongon 2, Caperal 0.

Quarterscores: 21-25, 41-48, 69-64, 94-85

Second Game

GINEBRA 92 – Mercado 17, Slaughter 12, Tenorio 11, Caguioa 10, Devance 10, Aguilar 9, Ellis 9, Thompson 9, Helterbrand 3, Cruz 2, Marcelo 0.

STAR 89 – Simon 17, Sangalang 13, Barroca 11, Yap 10, Maliksi 9, Mallari 9, Melton 7, Reavis 4, Taha 4, Cruz 3, Pingris 2, Pascual J. 0, Torres 0. 

Quarterscores: 21-18, 38-37, 54-62, 80-80, 92-89