Kings rally for 4th spot, playoff bonus

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra needed its trademark never-say-die spirit before overcoming the spicy challenge of NLEX in Bicol and saving its spot in the Top 4.

Their bid for a twice-to-beat edge in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals under heavy threat, the Gin Kings rose to the occasion and rallied past the Road Warriors, 103-99, last night at a packed Ibalong Recreation Center in Legazpi City.

Tony Bishop, Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger and Maverick Ahanmisi knocked down clutch buckets in the final canto to seal their fightback from as many as 11 points in the third plus a 91-94 deficit in the last 3:54.

The Gin Kings closed the elims with four straight victories en route to an 8-3 win-loss record overall, matching the cards of San Miguel Beer and Meralco for a share of third to fifth.

But because of their superior differential, the Beermen and the Gin Kings took the third and fourth spots and the win-once bonus after tiebreak while relegating the Bolts to No. 5.

The loss gave the Road Warriors a closing mark of 4-7, their drive for the eighth and last quarterfinals seat now dependent on how TNT (4-6) will finish its 11-game slate.

The Tropang Giga can secure the No. 8 seat if they extract their fifth victory in the last day of the eliminations today against Phoenix (8-2) at the PhilSports Arena.

A loss by the reigning Governors’ Cup champs, however, will give NLEX a lifeline and set the stage for their rubber match for the last quarters ticket on Wednesday.

For the Fuel Masters, a No. 2 seeding is theirs if they take care of business against TNT.