MANILA, 2 February 2006 — Barangay Ginebra got more than what it bargained for from a Red Bull side that was James Penny-less last night, working hard to post a 97-83 victory that extended their semifinal series in the PBA Fiesta Cup into a crucial sixth game.
Rodney Santos and Eric Menk struck hardest in the fourth period and Chris Porter had a monster game as the Gin Kings got to live another day by winning for the first time in four games that cut the Red Bull lead to 3-2.
Santos has been Ginebra’s main fourth quarter man, and last night was no different after the 6-foot-1 swingman hit 11 of his 15 points in the payoff frame.
Porter, on the other hand, scattered 27 markers and pulled down a conference-high 26 rebounds as the ganging Air21 defense inside proved no match for the high-leaping Ginebra import.
Ginebra actually trailed for a better part of the contest, falling behind by nine at one point in the third period before the Barako took a 72-71 lead into the fourth period.
“I told my players to take the rest of this series one game at a time,” Ginebra’s Siot Tanquingcen said. “We know that we have an uphill battle ahead of us but we’re up to the challenge.
“This series does not end until one team wins four games.”
Penny served out his mandatory one-game suspension for being ejected on account of two technical fouls in a stirring come-from-behind Game 4 victory on Wednesday night.
Lordy Tugade tossed in 20 points to lead the Barako, who got 10 points each from Enrico Villanueva, Celino Cruz and surprise package Larry Fonacier.
But the absence of an import clearly told on Red Bull, as it was obvious that they sorely missed a go-to-guy, especially in the final quarter when Ginebra made its decisive run and the Barako couldn’t buy a bucket.
Air21 also instilled life in its wafer-thin chances of extending its dream playoff run, aided largely by a crucial blunder by Roger Yap of Purefoods in the dying seconds for a 100-99 victory.
The Express also pulled to within 3-2 of the Chunkee Giants, but it was by sheer luck, to say the least, after Roger Yap lost the ball to the baseline while he was wide open for the game-winning shot.
