“Yes,” Uichico beamed when asked if he was satisfied at the way his Gin Kings posted a 93-82 victory over undermanned defending champions Derby Ace in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum.

“Because tonight we had a good start and we were able to sustain it,” Uichico continued as he compared the sputtering finish of his Kings Friday night in a 93-74 victory over Barako Bull at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“They started out flat and we took advantage of it,” he usually soft-spoken mentor added. “Unlike (Friday) when we almost lost the game, and the final outcome did not really say how close it got in the endgame.” Rudy Hatfield was brilliant for the second straight game for the Kings, scattering 14 points and pulling down 12 boards. He shot four straight points – a completed three-point play and a free throw – in a crucial span in the fourth period that restored an 18-point Ginebra lead.

Ginebra won back-to-back games for the first time in the young tournament and climbed to 3-2, while the Llamados, who again played without three of its best big men, dropped to 1-4 and alone at the bottom.

Ronald Tubid came off the bench, played just 19 minutes and was also good for 14 points for Ginebra, which got 11 and five assists from former two-time MVP Willie Miller and 10 points from starting forward JC Intal.

The Kings opened up a 15-0 lead and allowed Derby Ace’s first basket only at the 5:52 mark of the first quarter before holding the Llamados to a paltry 29-point total at the half for an 18-point lead heading into the third period.

Ginebra then made it look like it would be a cakewalk as the Kings even took a 30-point lead late in the third only for the Llamados to suddenly spring back to life and score 31 points in the payoff frame.

“What makes me happy about this win is that the team showed character in the closing minutes and we were able to break their momentum,” Uichico said.

Peter June Simon scored 14, and Roger Yap added 12 and finished as the only two players in twin digits for the Llamados, who were not only handicapped with the absence of Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis and Kerby Raymundo because of injuries but were also slowed down because James Yap, the reigning MVP, still couldn’t get going.

Yap, who was the Best Player of this conference last season, struggled to shoot only eight points after failing to make a triple in six tries and making only 2-of-8 field goal attempts in 30 total minutes on the floor.

In the first game, newcomer Meralco snapped a three-game losing streak by bringing down inconsistent Rain or Shine, 87-79.

Mac Cardona, who shot more than 50% from the field this time, scattered 27 points and Gabby Espinas added 18 and the Bolts outsteadied the Elasto Painters in a tight fourth quarter to rise to 2-3.

“In our last three losses, we allowed ourselves to just roll over and die,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said. “Now we are beginning to adjust to each other’s strengths.” Solomon Mercado shot 17 points and led the Painters in scoring for the second straight game, and Gabe Norwood chipped in with 15. But their efforts went to naught as the Painters dropped into a tie with their conquerors.

“It’s a great feeling to win against a quality team. We believe that we can compete. We believe that we can survive this conference and we’re just going to take it one day at a time.” Meralco’s only other win came against another quality team in the Kings, 73-72, in the inaugurals last Oct. 3.