Barangay Ginebra lived up to its never-say-die moniker as it regained solo second in the PBA Governors Cup semifinals with an 81-77 decision over Alaska Milk last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Led by Mark Caguioa and Donald Sloan, Ginebra notched its seventh win against four losses, half-game in front of Petron Blaze (6-4) and a full game ahead of Alaska Milk (6-5).

Talk n Text (8-3) is still at No. 1 following a victory over B-Meg, 101-89, earlier.

“We gathered ourselves together after the disappointing loss to Petron (Wednesday) and we found a way to get this crucial win,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

The Kings can't look far ahead but they're definitely in better position than the Aces.

The Aces are out of contention for the “five-of-eight incentive rule,” having suffered a second loss in the semis. They have to sweep their two remaining games to have a chance at entering the best-of-seven finals.

Caguioa and Sloan dealt the Aces much punishment with the former coming through with a game-high 26 points and the latter getting away with 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Caguioa struck hardest in the payoff period, delivering clutch baskets to fuel Ginebra's decisive charge from a 65-all count.

He strung up 11 straight points in a key swing opening up a 76-71 lead for the Kings.

Willy Wilson and Billy Mamaril had their contributions moments later and the Kings eventually finished off the Aces with an 80-73 advantage entering the final minute of the game.

The Kings drew big boost from their backcourt with Caguioa, Sloan, Jayjay Helterbrand and John Wilson combining for 9-of-18 three-point shooting.

Ginebra outplayed Alaska from the outside, negating Sonny Thoss' season-high 24-point output.

Thoss and Jason Forte both churned out double-double numbers, accounting for 21 of Alaska 's 47 rebounds as against Ginebra's 43.

It was a tight, low-scoring ball game marked by five dead locks and two lead changes. *pba.com

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