MANILA — Imports Orlando Johnson and Kim Ji Wan powered the Barangay Ginebra Kings to a huge 120-98 victory over the Barako Bull Energy Wednesday night in the PBA Governors' Cup. Johnson exploded for 41 points on top of nine rebounds while Kim drained back-to-back three-pointers in the final quarter to finish with 12 markers as the Kings snapped a two-game losing streak, thus reviving their playoff hopes. Sol Mercado added 14 markers. Ginebra is now tied with Talk N Text at ninth to 10th spot in the standings, both with a 4-6 card, with only one game left for each team. The Kings' last elimination round game will be against the slumping NLEX Road Warriors (2-7) on June 24. The Kings and the Texters will now have to hope for the teams above them to lose their last games to be able to enter into the Top 8 quarterfinals round. Erstwhile leader Barako Bull fell into a tie for third to fifth spot with Rain or Shine and GlobalPort, all with a 6-4 card. The Kings turned a close contest into a rout in the fourth quarter as Johnson heated up. Import Liam McMorrow once again led Barako Bull with 32 points and 11 rebounds, still not enough to prevent the Energy from absorbing their third straight loss. Rain or Shine 94, Kia 90 The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters repulsed a spirited charge by the hard-fighting Kia Carnival to prevail, 94-90, for their fifth straight victory and sixth overall in 10 games. With only one game left in their schedule, this Sunday against the Meralco Bolts, the Painters could still snag a Top 4 slot and the twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it in the playoffs. Rain or Shine is currently tied for fourth to fifth spot with the GlobalPort Batang Pier. With its 4-5 win-loss card, Kia slipped into a tie with Star for seventh to eighth spot. Import Wendell Mckines paced the Painters with 24 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, and one block. Paul Lee also played a huge role in the victory, posting 20 points, four rebounds, and two assists. He also knocked down all 10 of his free throws, including ROS' last six points, to finally seal the win. Kia's loss put to naught import Hamady N'Diaye's near triple-double of 31 points, 21 rebounds, and eight blocks as the expansion club absorbed a second straight defeat. Karl Dehesa was the other double-digit scorer for Kia, firing a career-high 19 points. However, he was held scoreless in the final quarter. ROS appeared headed for another blowout win, just like its rout of the Star Hotshots last Saturday. Halfway in the third quarter, the Painters were ahead by 13 points, 59-46, with momentum on their side. The Carnival, however, exploded with a 20-4 run to take a three-point lead, 66-63. The Painters kept their poise, however, with McKines scoring a basket. After a defensive stop, Gabe Norwood then drained a three-pointer to put ROS ahead, 68-66. The Carnival kept on fighting furiously in the fourth quarter but the Painters managed to hold them off as the final buzzer sounded. Games Friday: Kia Carnival vs. Talk N Text Tropang Texters and Blackwater Elite vs. NLEX Road Warriors.
