PBA Saturday : Ginebra scores come from behind victory against Powerade

Source : Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV

Barangay Ginebra eked out a thrilling 73-72 victory in the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup’s out-of-town game in Victorias City on Saturday night.


Spitfire Mark Caguioa delivered his team’s last four points inside the final 14 seconds, including the game-winning putback off Jayjay Helterbrand’s missed layup with 1.6 seconds left, as the Gin Kings completed an exciting comeback.

Trailing 72-67 with less than a minute left in the match, Ginebra unloaded six straight points, including Caguioa’s final baskets, as the team once again lived up to its never say die mantra.

It was the second win in four matches for the Gin Kings, who avoided a two-game slide.

The loss spoiled the official PBA debut of 2011 top overall pick JVee Casio, who missed Powerade’s first three games because of a knee injury. He scored three points in limited minutes after checking into the game in the second quarter.

The Tigers had several chances to win the match, but faltered down the stretch.

Veteran journeyman Romel Adducul, who once suited up for Ginebra, had a chance to pull the Tigers further ahead when he was fouled with 36 second left in the game. But the 6-foot-5 slotman missed both charity shots and allowed Ginebra to launch a last-ditch rally. Caguioa responded with a basket to cut Powerade’s lead down to one point, 72-69.

Tigers’ top scorer Gary David, who scored 17 points, was sent to the foul line in the ensuing possession, but also muffed both shot, setting up Caguioa’s game-winner.

Caguioa finished with 11 points and was the only Ginebra player to finish with a double-digit output.

Powerade was led by rookie Marcio Lassiter, who finished with a career-high 21 markers. Celino Cruz added 14 points for Powerade.

The scores:

GINEBRA (73)  – Caguioa 11, Villanueva 9, Wilson W. 9, De Ocampo 8, Cortez 8, Intal 7, Canaleta 6, Helterbrand 6, Tubid 5, Wilson J. 4, Labagala 0, Aquino 0.

POWERADE (72) – Lassiter 21, David 17, Cruz 14, Antonio 6, Casio 3, Vanlandingham 3, Lingganay 2, Kramer 2, Calimag 2, Crisano 2, Adducul0, Anthony 0.

Quarterscores: 22-21, 35-32, 57-54, 73-72