Ginebra boosts championship drive

Games today

Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- Meralco vs. B-Meg

7:30 p.m.- Petron vs. Talk ‘N Text

The race for the two championship slots is shaping to be a three-team fight after the streaking Barangay Ginebra Kings nipped the league-leading Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 95-86, last night in the semifinal round of the 37th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Mark Caguioa erupted for a game-high 29 points and Rudy Hatfield churned in significant contributions by grabbing 12 rebounds—10 in the offensive end—and scoring eight points as the duo spearheaded Ginebra’s eighth win in 12 games.

With those number of rebounds, Hatfield became the 36th player to have at least 2,000 rebounds.

The Kings stayed half-a-game behind the second placers B-Meg Llamados, who are 8-3 (win-loss).

The loss prevented the Painters from earning a playoff for a finals berth as they dropped to 9-3. The defeat also cut the Painters’ lead over the Llamados to just a half game.

Ginebra remains unbeaten in the semifinal round and is still well capable of tying the records of the current top two teams.

With still two assignments left, Ginebra also stayed in the hunt for the ‘four-of-five’ incentive.

A team which finishes out of the top two after the semis but wins four of its five semifinal games will earn a playoff for a finals seat.

The only other team capable of earning that incentive are the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters.