Powerade beats Ginebra for 4th straight despite subpar David game

PBA/Nuki Sabio

The Powerade Tigers proved that they can win without Gary David scoring 20 points.

The hotshot guard saw his string of 19 games with at least 20 points snapped, but the Tigers rallied for an 86-83 victory over the Barangay Ginebra Kings in exciting PBA Governors’ Cup action Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

With David struggling from the field, Powerade fell behind, 23-9 in the first quarter. But Rey Guevarra scored 11 of his 13 points in the second quarter to help the Tigers close the gap, 41-38, at the end of the half.

Though he shot just 1-of-8 from beyond the arc, Gary David’s three-pointer at with just 3:03 left in the game sparked a 9-2 run that gave Powerade an 83-79 lead.

Dylan Ababou cut the Powerade advantage with a layup before the teams figured in a series of turnovers. With the shot clock running out, Powerade’s possession seemed to be going nowhere, but import Omar Sneed grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a putback to give the Tigers more breathing space.

Kerby Raymundo scored in the ensuing possession, and the Gin Kings sent Sneed to the line, where he split his free throws with five seconds left.

Down three points, Ginebra could not get a good attempt at an equalizer, as Powerade escaped with the win.

Tigers coach Bo Perasol said the close win would serve his team in good stead. “I think it’s gonna be good for our character,” he said.

Perasol credited Ginebra with coming up with a great effort against David, who was held to just 16 points after averaging 28 coming into the game.

“I think they defended Gary really well,” said Perasol. “Thankfully Omar was there to save the day for us.”

Sneed finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds for the Tigers, who won their fourth straight game.

The scores:

Powerade 86 – Sneed 27, David 16, Guevarra 13, Casio 10, Salvador 6, Lingganay 4, Anthony 4, Tugade 4, Al-Hussaini 2, Vanlandingham 0, Allera 0, Antonio 0.

Ginebra 83 – Bozeman 23, Caguioa 12, Maliksi 9, Ababou 9, Maierhofer 8, Raymundo 8, Canaleta 5, Villanueva 4, Hatfield 3, Cortez 2, Helterbrand 0.

Quarters: 9-23, 38-41, 64-63, 86-83

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