MANILA, 30 April 2004 — Ginebra banked on a vastly improved game from import Torraye Braggs to demolish FedEx, 125-110, on Wednesday night as it continued to show signs of a resurgence in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

The Gin Kings were as impressive as they were in a 109-94 win over Alaska in a road game in Palawan last week, bottling up hulking FedEx import Mike Maddox while unleashing Braggs, Eric Menk and Mark Caguioa on the offensive end.

Their second straight win after a horrendous stretch of six losses improved the Kings’ record to 5-7 (win-loss), but Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen still wouldn’t breath easy.

“It’s still too early. It’s a long way to go,” added Tanquingcen, who had a rough start since being called by management to take over from Allan Caidic early in the conference. Braggs outscored and outplayed Maddox who eventually fouled out.

Maddox blocked Mark Caguioa’s attempt at the basket; recovered the loose ball; dribbled the length of the court; then scooted in for a layup with 6:05 to go in the game.

In the next sequence, probably because he was tired from the effort, Maddox fouled out while defending against Menk. Maddox was held to just 14 points.

Totally disappointed with his big men, FedEx coach Joe Lipa fielded an all guard lineup — with Vergel Meneses, Wesley Gonzales, Renren Ritualo, Wynne Arboleda, and Roger Yap — with still 3:11 left in the game and the score pegged at 115- 101.

The ploy didn’t work as FedEx wound up losing by a bigger margin.

Braggs led the way for Ginebra with 37 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 37 minutes of play. Menk backed him up with 18 markers, 15 boards and five feeds in 42 minutes on the floor as the Kings posted the highest score in a game so far this season. Caguioa contributed 14 points and got high marks from his coach after the match.

In the first game, the Alaska Aces lost their coach — Tim Cone was ejected by referee Hector Villanueva — lost their import to fouls, but didn’t lose the game: they beat the Talk N’ Text Phone Pals in overtime, 102-95.

The Phone Pals protected an 81-78 lead with 1:38 to go in the game when Galen Young was fouled while driving to the hole. The Alaska import converted the shot which was waved off by referee Hector Villanueva.

Disgusted with Young not being given continuation Cone charged onto the court and slammed the roll tech advertisement to dispute the call. Villanueva reacted immediately, called a technical on Cone then motioned him off the court.

But even without their coach the Aces didn’t fold. Mike Cortez and Young scored back-to-back baskets against Jimmy Alapag’s split charity to push the Aces to an 82-all tie and send the game into overtime. But Aces’ troubles didn’t stop with losing their coach. The Aces then lost their import with Young fouling out at the start of overtime.

The Aces opened the overtime period with a 7-0 burst to virtually put the game away. Rob Duat drained a hanging jumpshot. Mike Cortez scored a difficult three- pointer, sliding to the sidelines as the ball swished into the net. Brandon Cablay put in a fastbreak layup.

Suddenly the Aces were on top, 89-82, at the start of the overtime period.