Saudi Gazette MANILA — The Barangay Ginebra Kings had some anxious moments before finally finding their rhythm en route to an 80-76 come-from-behind victory over the Mahindra Enforcers Sunday night in a PBA Philippine Cup road game in Antipolo, Rizal. Unlike in previous Ginebra games where only the twin towers of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar did most of the scoring, this time the duo had ample support. Joe Devance finally showed his shooting prowess in a Ginebra uniform while new acquisition Jervy Cruz showed what he could do to boost the Kings' frontline. Slaughter missed a double-double for the first time but still led Ginebra with 16 points and eight boards. Devance added 14 while Aguilar and Cruz chipped in 12 and 10 markers, respectively. Ginebra scored its first back-to-back win in the conference as it improved to a 3-3 win-loss card, tying Barako Bull at seventh to eighth place in the standings. It is noteworthy that Ginebra got all its wins on the road—in Dubai against Alaska, Binan against Meralco and in Antipolo against Mahindra. The Enforcers absorbed their fifth loss in six games, joining the Meralco Bolts at the bottom. After trailing for most parts of the game, the Kings finally surged to a 76-66 lead late in the final quarter. The Enforcers refused to surrender, cutting Ginebra's lead to four points. But Slaughter drilled a top-of-the key jumper and converted crucial charities to seal the win for Ginebra. Karl Dehesa led Mahindra with 17 points while Aldrech Ramos added 13 markers and 11 boards. Mark Yee registered a third straight double-double with 10 and 11. San Miguel Beer 106, Barako Bull 105 Arwind Santos scored on a putback with less than a second left as the San Miguel Beermen survived a mighty challenge from the Barako Bull Energy, 106-105. Moments earlier, RR Garcia banged in a step-back three-pointer to give Barako Bull the lead, 105-104, with 10 seconds remaining. In the ensuing SMB possession, Marcio Lassiter missed on a hurried attempt, but Santos was there soaring high for the game-winning putback. SMB thus gained the solo top spot with its third straight win and fifth overall against a single defeat. Barako Bull dropped to 3-3. SMB's June Mar Fajardo was his usual dominant self, leading all scorers with 28 points on top of 20 rebounds . Ronald Tubid finished with 16 while Santos, despite nursing a calf injury, added 15 points, six boards, and three assists. Three other Beermen scored in double digits with Alex Cabagnot chipping in 12 while Gabby Espinas and Lassiter added 11 apiece. The two teams engaged in a furious exchange of baskets in a fiercely fought game that saw 19 lead changes and 10 deadlocks. Josh Urbiztondo led the Energy with 19 points. Willy Wilson scored 18 while Mick Pennisi and Garcia added 15 and 14, respectively. Games Tuesday: NLEX Road Warriors (3-2) vs. Meralco Bolts (1-5) and Star Hotshots (2-4) vs. Alaska Aces (4-1).
