With James Yap leading three others with twin digit scores, the Llamados broke away near the end of the third period for a second straight win and fifth overall in eight games.

And this one came as a huge relief for coach Ryan Gregorio, who has struggled to find scorers in his team with Kerby Raymundo continuing to be sidelined.

“We really did what’s required defensively, and we made sure to see progress on our offense,” said Gregorio. “That’s something we’re really working on – scoring. It’s a relief that my players are getting challenged and rising to the occasion.” Ginebra got a mediocre performance from import Mildon Ambres, who was pulled out of the game by coach Jong Uichico amid boos coming from a huge, predominantly Ginebra crowd.

“It’s nice to win games especially against quality teams like Ginebra, and hopefully we continue to get going,” Gregorio added.

Ambres’ last shot of the game hit nothing but air, a triple attempt that went out of bounds and kept the Kings in a 10-point hole with just under five minutes remaining.

Ginebra, playing all-Filipino from there, tried to mount one last rally, coming within 89-82 after five straight Willie Miller points.

But the Llamados, the reigning Philippine Cup champions, put the game to bed in an exciting way after Rafi Reavis fielded a Rico Maierhofer alley-oop pass with a two-handed jam with under two minutes left on the clock.?Ambres may have well played his last game for the Gin Kings after finishing with just 17 points. Ginebra’s second import for the tournament after Awvee Storey missed more than a handful of shots during the game’s most delicate times.

He was actually on the bench in the final stretch, as coach Jong Uichico simply couldn’t squeeze anything out from him during winning time.

Eric Menk had 12 points and Willie Miller, the former two-time MVP whom the Kings acquired from Alaska, continued to feel his way around the team and finished with just 10 markers.

In his first three games for the Kings since that celebrated deal, Miller has averaged just eight points a contest, a far cry from the 17 he had while with the Aces in Alaska’s first five games.

Meanwhile, James Penny, despite superlative performances for the skidding Coca-Cola Tigers, has been released, his place to be taken over by Rashad Bell.

Bell was the former import of Talk ‘N Text, which graciously granted the Tigers permission to sign up Bell. Incidentally, Bell’s first assignment will be against the Tropang Texters on May 14.

In the first game, Solomon Mercado scattered 28 points and Jai Lewis had 26, including the overtime-clinching three-pointer at the buzzer that led to a 106-102 Rain or Shine  victory over Air21.

It was the seventh straight loss for the Express, and this one had a lot more sting after they sat on a three-point lead with less than six seconds left in regulation, which ended at 90-all.

Mercado did a good job of sucking the perimeter defenses of Air21 on him in the last play in regulation before finding the wide-open Lewis at left quarter court for the equalizing triple that hit nothing but net.

Rain or Shine was then all over the Express in the extra five minutes, winning for the fourth time in eight games after snapping a two-game losing streak. Air21 is now deeper in the cellar with a 1-8 card.