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Don't count them out just yet.
Facing the prospect of dropping to a deep 1-3 hole, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings made sure to play their A-game in a make-or-break battle as they demolished the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 86-70, in Game Four of their best-of-seven semifinal round duel in the 34th PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.
The Kings leveled the series at two-apiece, reducing the series into a race-to-two affair.
Already playing without key players Mark Caguioa, Erik Menk and Junthy Valenzuela, the Kings? lineup further decimated when Ronald Tubid was ejected in the final 2:38 due to two technical fouls.
Import David Noel was hounded by foul trouble but with Jayjay Helterbrand at the helm, the Kings simply would not be denied the win.
The game was only close at the start when the Kings settled for a slim 23-22 lead after the first period.
The Kings closed the first half with 43-33 lead and it was all Ginebra in the second half.
Poor shooting from the field in the second half did the Painters in as the Kings built leads of as many as 25 points in the final two quarters of play.
Helterbrand finished with a team-high 21 points, while Tubid added 14 markers.
Noel was held down to just 10 points but had 10 rebounds and six assists.
Typifying their horrendous field goal shooting, only one Rain or Shine player managed to score in double figures.
Lewis was the lone bright spot for the Painters by finishing with 23 points.
BOX SCORES:
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.
