Noel, Helterbrand help Ginebra tie semis series

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra just wouldn’t allow another big-time endgame collapse. And yes, not another big-time comeback for Rain or Shine Import David Noel knocked in a three-pointer with 32.9 seconds left and Jay-Jay Helterbrand came up a point short of matching his career high with 34 points as Ginebra outlasted Rain or Shine, 103-98 in Game 2 Friday night to even the best-of-seven semi-finals series at 1-1 in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome. “The import’s job is to take over the game in the end," said Noel, who scored 10 fourth-quarter points and shot 10-for-17 from the field. “This time, we were able to come through." Noel’s attempt gave Ginebra a 101-97 lead, a cushion enough for the most popular team to hang on and render the series into a best-of-five affair. Jai Lewis, held to only a point in the final period, had a split 11 seconds later to make it 101-98, but Ronald Tubid converted both his charities with 14.1 ticks to go to seal the win, avenging Ginebra’s painful 101-95 setback in Game 1 where the Kings squandered a 14-point advantage. “It’s hard to explain the game," Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said. “We looked as if we were dominating the game but they (Elasto Painters) kept on coming back and coming back and coming back. It could have gone either way. “It’s back to the drawing board. This series, basing on the first two games, will be close." Although scoreless in the fourth quarter, Helterbrand still wound up with 34 points. He made 8-of-12 shots at the three-point arc, and bungled a last-second lay-up in the end that could have rewarded him with a new career best. His existing career high is 35 points he set on December 20, 2008. Tubid added 16 points and Billy Mamaril, charged with the tough assignment of having to contain Lewis, chipped in 11 points. Lewis led six Rain or Shine players who scored in double figures with 21 points and 20 rebounds. But the deceiving import only had one point in the final period as the Elasto Painters were held without a field goal in the final three minutes of the contest. Tyrone Tang, hero in Game 1 after hitting a three-point shot down the stretch, added 19 points. Jireh Ibanes and Jay-R Reyes each contributed 14 while Gabe Norwood and Don Dulay collected 13 apiece. – GMANews.TV