Ginebra-Rain or Shine series back to square one

With the specter of elimination threatening their season, Barangay Ginebra did what is necessary to stay on course in their bid for a title repeat.

Jayjay Helterbrand poured in 11 of his 21 points in the third quarter and the defending champion Kings broke loose for a 86-70 victory over Rain or Shine in Game 4 Wednesday night to even their semifinal series in the Motolite PBA Fiesta conference at two-games apiece.

The Kings were in control the entire game, displaying the kind of urgency and poise that lacked their game in the first three encounters.

"It's good we survived this game. Now, we know things won't be as easy we thought it would be," offered Uichico, adding the Elasto Painters were a hard read.

"They're (ROS) tough. So were really have to play with our A-game every night," he said.

The Kings set the pace of the game by playing aggressively on both ends.

After a close first quarter, the defending champions seized control in the next period by holding the Elasto Painters to an 18 percent shooting (4-of-22) then ripped the game wide open in the third quarter with a flurry of three-pointers led by Helterbrand.

Game 5 is set at 7:30 p.m. also at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ronald Tubid scored 14 points before being ejected with 2:38 left in the third quarter after picking up his second "technical foul". Import David Noel added 10 points and as many rebounds and helped Billy Mamaril and Rafi Reavis in slowing down ROS import Jai Lewis.

The Elasto Painters struggled all night, unable to get their rhythm because of poor shooting and the seemingly lack of energy that got them going the first three games. Their total score was the lowest by any team in the conference, the previous low coming in their 114-71 loss also to Barangay Ginebra in the playoff for the second outright semis berth last May 24.

Lewis once again frolicked in the lane with 15 rebounds and led all scorers with 23 points, but he was the only ROS player in double figures.

The Elasto Painter made just 28 of 92 attempts (30 percent) and shot just as bad from the line (13-of-32).

After Lewis pulled Rain or Shine to within 26-29, Tubid knocked in a three-pointer then made two free throws that led to a 14-7 run as Ginebra marched to their locker room holding on to a 43-33 lead at halftime.

The lead was still 10 early in the third when Helterbrand drilled in two successive three-pointers that sparked a telling 26-6 blast as the Kings stretched their margin to 66-41.

Ginebra knocked five threes during that run with Helterbrand going 3-of-4. (DBC) PBA.ph

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 86 -- Helterbrand 21, Tubid 14, Noel 10, Salvacion 8, Intal 7, Reavis 7, Mamaril 6, Baguio 5, Lanete 3, Artadi 3, Wilson 2, Kramer 0, Pacana 0.

Rain or Shine 70 -- Lewis 23, Tang 9, Isip 8, Arana 7, Wainwright 7, Reyes 5, Salangsang 5, Norwood 3, Laure 3, Dulay 0, Andaya 0, Ejercito 0.

Quarterscores: 23-22, 43-33, 72-53, 86-70

SOURCE: http://www.ngetstudio.com/news/?id=2160ceb4-725b-42cb-8343-e4f55e9add43