Barangay Ginebra kept Converge import Jamaal Franklin’s guns silent all night as the Gin Kings formally took the FiberXers’ out of the running for the top four berth in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup with a 120-101 victory Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
Just a game after Franklin exploded with 57 points in a triple-double performance, the reinforcement all of a sudden was out of his elements, taking only five shots from the field. Of that he just made two.
He was taken out of the game with still 5:09 left while the Gin Kings were on top, 106-91.
The FiberXers didn’t pose a serious threat against the Gin Kings, who picked up their fourth straight win and vaulted into a tie for second to third places with San Miguel Beer with the same 7-2 card.
Once the hottest team in the tournament, Converge ended the elimination round losing three straight games for a 6-5 record.
The disappointing finish left Converge and its fans wondering if Franklin would continue playing in the playoffs amid speculations that he’s going to be replaced.
Franklin was the only import to score 50-plus points in two games, but the last three losses showed that things are not doing well over at the FiberXers’ camp.
“We’re surprised, but that’s not our issue. Our issue is to win a basketball game,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who now looks forward to its next game against Terrafirma.
The Gin Kings and the Dyip will square off on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City and Cone and his troops are not going to take their opponents who gave Magnolia a big scare, lightly.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 120 – Malonzo 29, Brownlee 28, Standhardinger 28, Gray 16, Thompson 5, Pinto 4, R.Aguilar 4, Pringle 3, Onwubere 3, Pessumal 0, Dillinger 0
CONVERGE 101 – Ahanmisi 24, Teng 12, Murrell 11, Arana 11, Stockton 10, Tratter 9, Racal 7, Balanza 7, Franklin 4, Ebona 3, Tolomia 3
QUARTERS: 29-24, 64-55, 93-78, 120-101