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The Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings and the Purefoods TJ Giants gave themselves fitting Christmas presents as they emerged victorious in their respective games in the 2009 PBA KFC Philippine Cup held Christmas day at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Gin Kings, led by high-flying wingmen Ronald Tubid, JC Intal and Cyrus Baguio, put on an acrobatic show as they overpowered the Coca-Cola Tigers, 106-97, while the Giants pulled off an 85-74 win over the Burger King Whoppers in the first game of the double-header.
The wins put the two teams tied at fourth place with identical 9-6 (win-loss) records. San Miguel Beer, with a 12-3 record, and Alaska , at 11-2, lead the race for the two outright semifinal berths with Talk n Text at third with a 10-5 slate.
Intal scored a career-high 20 points, eight of which came in the final period when the Kings made their move to break the game wide open. Highlighting that salvo were two thunderous slam dunks by Intal, one a two-handed flush in the open court and the other, a one-handed tomahawk that put his team ahead, 101-88.
Tubid added 18 points while Baguio added 14 markers. Coke?s big men combo of Dennis Espino and Asi Taulava produced huge numbers with 21 and 17 points, respectively but fell short in the wave of the aerial show put on by Ginebra?s wingmen.
Coca-Cola, meanwhile, is now only half-game ahead of cellar-dweller Barako Bull (2-12) as the Tigers reeled with a 12th loss against three wins.
The Tigers, the Energy Boosters, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-10) and the Burger King Whoppers are slugging it out to avoid last-place finish in the double-round elims. The 10th placer is out of the playoffs.
In the first game, Kerby Raymundo scored 19 points in spite playing with a hurting knee to lead the Giants to the win.
He had four in a 7-0 run that put Purefoods on top, 77-68, with four minutes left in the game. James Yap had 17 and Don Allado 12 for the Giants.
Beau Belga topscored for Burger King with 15.
