PBA: Ginebra nails first win, spoils Pacquiao's return to Kia

Orlando Johnson was a man on a mission, scoring more than 40 points for the third straight game to finally give Ginebra a victory in the young conference with a 105-98 win against the Kia Carnival on Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Johnson had 47 points, not letting up from his 50-point and 46-point performances in the first two games. He also added 17 boards, four assists and three denials.

"We're just after our first win regardless kung sino kalaban namin dun," said Frankie Lim, who won his first game as coach of Ginebra.

The league's crowd darlings opened the tournament with back-to-back losses as it continued to miss top big men Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.

"Mahirap kapag wala kang malaki you're struggling inside," said Lim

The import's performance was backed up by those of Ginebra's wings, as Mark Caguioa, Josh Urbiztondo and LA Tenorio all scored in double figures. Caguioa tallied 16, while Urbiztondo and Tenorio added 11 and 10, respectively.  Sol Mercado also came up with eight markers.


"We're just finding ways to get a win. Makikita mo naman effort ng players namin, 'di mo matawaran," Lim added.

Just when it seemed like GInebra was gonna cruise to another victory, Kia was able to knot the game at 97-all, before Josh Urbiztondo scored on the run for lead lead with 45 ticks to go. Charities from Johnson and Urbiztondo pushed the lead to six with 16 seconds left, putting the game away.

After arriving in Manila and making several appearances around the city during the day, playing coach Manny Pacquiao was able to catch up and make an appearance for his team in the second quarter. The eight division champion got a share of cheers from the crowd in his game back.

The Filipino ring icon was coming off a defeat to Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas earlier this month.

LA Revilla led the charge for his team with 20 points, while Hamady N'Diaye and Karl Dehesa registered 19 points each. -- JST/RAF, GMA News


The scores:

GINEBRA 105 - Johnson 47, Caguioa 16, Urbiztondo 11, Tenorio 10, Mercado 8, Tungalag 8, Brondial 3, Marcelo 2, Pena 0, Monfort 0, Helterbrand 0, Baracael 0.

KIA 98 - Revilla 20, N'Diaye 19, Dehesa 19, Chang 10, Bagatsing 10, Nuyles 5, Ighalo 4, Alvarez 4, Thiele 3, Deutchman 2, Yee 2, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 23-27, 49-42, 73-65, 105-98