Ginebra bounces back with victory over Powerade in Batangas

THE BARANGAY Ginebra Gin Kings bounced back from an opening day loss by beating the Powerade Tigers, 82-75, yesterday in an out-of-town game of the 36th PBA Philippine Cup at the Batangas Coliseum in Batangas City.

Willie Miller scored 15 points while three others scored in double-figures for the Gin Kings, who tied their victims at 1-1 (win-loss) in the team standings.

Yancy de Ocampo added 11 while Ronald Tubid and Rudy Hatfield chipped in 10 each as Ginebra redeemed itself from a painful 72-73 loss to the Meralco Bolts last Sunday.
The Gin Kings took off to a great start but had to fend off a strong Powerade run in the third and fourth to log the victory.

Headed by Miller and De Ocampo, Ginebra put up a 22-4 lead after the first and held on to a 50-35 lead at the half.

Powerade came alive in the third and banked on its defense to hold Ginebra to just 12 points in the entire stretch.

Gary David scored 11 in the third to pull the Tigers to within 60-62 heading to the final canto.

Powerade managed to force a 75 tie with the Kings with 3:37 left in the game but that was all the Tigers could come up with.

It was the Kings’ turn to show their defensive might in the endgame as they held the Tigers scoreless in the last three minutes of the game.

David led all scorers with 27 points while Mark Macapagal chipped in 13.