Ginebra one win away from finals berth

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra moved one win away of earning a finals berth in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup after a 94-91 win over Red Bull in Friday’s Game 3 at the Ynares Center. The Gin Kings, who hold a commanding 3-0 lead, go for the clincher on Sunday when they face the still out-of-form Barakos at 4:30pm at the Araneta Coliseum. The Barakos were still very much in the game trailing the Gin Kings by three after Michael Robinson’s back-to-back split free throws, 86-89, with one minute and 48 seconds left in the final period. But a Mark Caguioa lay up and a Chris Alexander break away dunk, which sandwiched a Mick Pennisi missed three-pointer, put the finishing touches in Ginebra’s win leading by seven, 93-86, 1:13 to go. Jayjay Helterbrand, who went perfect at the three-point area in the first half, and Caguioa combined for 40 points – scoring 20 apiece – to pace the Gin Kings’ balanced scoring. Helterbrand also had seven assists finishing with a 4-of-6 shooting beyond the arc. Chris Alexander scattered 13 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and blocked four shots also for Ginebra. Red Bull import Adam Parada finally found his rhythm finishing with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and three assists but still could not lead the Barakos to victory. – GMANews.TV