Ginebra staves off elimination with huge victory over B-Meg in PBA semifinal series
Game today:
Araneta Coliseum
6 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Barako Bull
Niño Cañaleta was extra hot from the three-point land but it was the all-around game of Mike Cortez that buoyed the Barangay Ginebra Kings to an 88-79 win over the B-Meg Llamados in Game 3 of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal series at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Kings, known for their never-say-die attitude, staved off elimination but still trails in the series, 1-2.
Cañaleta banged in four three-pointers to finish with a game-high 23 points but what spelled the difference was the triple-double of Mike Cortez, who collected 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Cortez preserved his astounding outing by scoring five straight points that ultimately thwarted the Llamados’ comeback try.
A triple by Cañaleta gave the Kings a 78-63 lead in the final 7:01 but the Llamados strung up 11 unanswered points that sliced the deficit to 78-74 with time down to 2:47.
Cortez single-handedly took over, hitting a mid-range jumper and a booming triple that strectched Ginebra’s lead to 83-74 with 2:12 left.
Joe De Vance converted an up and under for the Llamados but Jayjay Helterbrand converted a layup and a three-point play that practically sealed the win for the Kings.
Rookie Dylan Ababou pitched in 13 points, Helterbrand tallied 12 for the Kings, who had four players in double figures.
