PBA: Rodgers, Ellis lead Ginebra past Barako in OT

Leon Rodgers and Chris Ellis combined for 48 points as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel pulled one over Barako Bull Energy Cola in overtime, 108-104, in the 2014 PBA Commissioner's Cup, Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Leon Rodgers had 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists playing both forward positions for Ginebra. Chris Ellis scored 17 points, making 3-of-4 from the arc, to go with seven rebounds. Japeth Aguilar and Mark Caguioa each had 12 points and combined for 13 rebounds. LA Tenorio had a near-triple double, tallying nine points, nine rebounds, and 14 assists to tie his career high.

"Yung breaks went to our side, especially yung sa overtime," said head coach Ato Agustin. He credited his team for adjusting their play, admitting that their team were making some changes on offense.

Towards the end game, assistant coach Juno Sauler took the lead in talking strategy. Agustin confirmed that this would be standard procedure from here on out. "Nag-iba yung mga plays, yung mga kay coach Juno. Lahat naman eh, yung coaches nagtutulon-tulong. Lahat may idea, and we're trying to change yung mga ginawa namin last conference," he said.

Ginebra burst out of the gates with their running game on full display, as Chris Ellis and Leon Rodgers took turns finishing strong to the basket. Barako Bull stayed close behind, trailing 23-22 after the first quarter as Josh Dollard and Ronjay Buenafe comprised their inside-out attack.

The torrid pace continued throughout the second quarter, but the Energy changed their tune and bombed away from downtown, making 4-of-8 from long distance. In contrast, Ginebra went big and channelled the offense through their frontcourt, who scored 25 of their 29 points in the quarter. Barako Bull managed to remain ahead after two, 52-51.


Ginebra fell in a five-point hole to start the third before LA Tenorio took charge for the Barangay. Tenorio zipped through the lane and set up Rodgers and Greg Slaughter during a 13-4 run, 66-62. The action escalated when JC Intal cut the rally with under three minutes to play, trading baskets with Japeth Aguilar. Lastimosa evened the tally with an and-one floater, but Mark Caguioa had the final say in the quarter, draining a triple with 39 seconds left to lead 73-70 entering the fourth.

The Energy reclaimed the lead after Mick Pennisi capped a 10-2 run with three-pointers, 80-75. Ginebra came charging back as Mark Caguioa scored on Lastimosa, while putbacks from Chris Ellis and Jay-R Reyes spelled the difference against a rampaging Dollard, 93-88, with three minutes to play.

Somehow, Rodgers plunged through the lane unscathed and earned an uncontested layup with a minute and change left, 93-90. But after completing another stop, Aguilar and Caguioa missed twice from deep, before Ginebra earned a third offensive rebound with 19.9 left.

Ginebra called for time and isolated Rodgers on the right wing, before swinging the ball to Ellis for a triple on the left side, 93-93, leaving seven seconds. The Energy then called timeout and Lastimosa tried to go for the game-winner, but Ginebra switched all their assignments and forced the rookie to miss a runner in the lane.

A Rodgers breakaway slam gave Ginebra the edge in overtime. Moments later, Dollard surrendered his last foul leading to Aguilar's split charities, 104-101, with 1:28 to play. The Energy had a chance to win still after Pennisi split, as they retook possession with 31.9 left. But pressure defense from Ginebra forced Barako Bull to call a timeout when they had none left, resulting in a bonus free throw for Rodgers, 105-102. Still, Willie Wilson snatched a quick layup to narrow the gap.

Rodgers drove and fouled Pennisi out on the next play for two charities. Jeric Fortuna tried to respond with a long triple which drew iron, returning the ball to Ginebra to finalize the win.

Ginebra went 39-of-89 (43.8 percent) from the field, while Barako Bull were 38-of-94 (40.4 percent). Ginebra led in assists (26-17), fast break points (12-6) and second-chance points (16-10).

Dollard finished the game with 45 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks. Mick Pennisi scored all but two of his points in the second half while gathering seven rebounds. Carlo Lastimosa added 10 points and six rebounds. - RAF, GMA News



The scores:

GINEBRA 108 - Rodgers 31, Ellis 17, Aguilar 14, Slaughter 12, Caguioa 12, Tenorio 9, Reyes 8, Mamaril 3, Urbiztondo 2, Baracael 0, Monfort 0.

BARAKO 104 - Dollard 45, Pennisi 12, Lastimosa 10, Intal 7, Miranda 7, Wilson 6, Buenafe 6, Jensen 5, Fortuna 5, Pena 1, Deutchman 0, Isip 0, Miller 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarters: 22-23, 51-52, 73-70, 93-93, 108-104