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By Frank C. Calapre, Correspondent
BARANGAY GINEBRA displayed its awesome form to
beat Coca-Cola, 91-84, Sunday in the second round elimination of the
2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
Jay-Jay Helterbrand, a former Kentucky State
University player, topscored with 27 points, including 18 in the
first half, as the Gin Kings kept their quarterfinal bid alive.
So amazing was Helterbrand, who also had 4
rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal, as the 5’11” guard made a
timely steal off Donald Copeland in the final 14 seconds.
The win enabled Ginebra to join Talk ‘N Text
at sixth place with seven wins in 15 games.
Red Bull, which was playing Purefoods Tender
Juicy as of press time, has a 9-5 win-loss record.
Import Chris Alexander finished with 13 points,
22 rebounds, 5 blocks and 2 assists for the Kings, who notched their
third straight win.
Marc Caguioa had 14 points, 3 rebounds and 2
assists and Junthy Valenzuela contributed 11 points and 3 assists as
Ginebra avenged its 81-82 loss to Coca-Cola in the first round on
April 18.
Donald Copeland, Cesar Catli and Nic Belasco
finished with identical 18 points but it was not enough to save the
Tigers, who fell into a tie for second place with Air21 at 9-6.
Copeland also had 6 assists, Belasco accounted
for 6 rebounds and Alex Cabagnot managed to score 17 points to go
with 4 assists and 2 steals for Coca-Cola, which took the first
quarter.
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