That's vintage Ginebra San Miguel. Correction please, Gordon's Gin.

The Gins of old again rocked the house via a buzzer-beating, long trey by Bal David to escape with an 83-81 decision last night and assume the solo lead in the PBA All-Filipino Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Faced with a humiliating loss to the undermanned Beermen crew following a triple by Michael Mustre with only 3.8 ticks to go, Gordon's Gin came up with its familiar do-or-die trick that threw the full- packed crowd into a wild frenzy.

David, who could had been the game's goat for allowing Mustre a clear aim from downtown, received the inbound from Pido Jarencio, sped past the midcourt line and let go the clincher from about 35 feet.

"Binawian lang namin sila dahil kung miracle shot 'yung huling tira nila, miracle shot din 'yung sa amin," said playing-coach Robert Jaworski. "And he (David) has the guts to throw it."

The Gins, who led by as much as 16 points in the first half but played catch-up from a 59-all third-quarter count, are now on their best start at 2-0 since 1990. Sister team San Miguel slipped to 1-1 in a tie with Formula Shell, Sta. Lucia Realty, Mobiline, Pop Cola and defending champion Alaska Milk.

In the opener, Mobiline survived the loss of a 20-point lead by digging into its new-found bench depth to beat Pure Foods Corned Beef, 84-78.

Rookie Patrick Fran, sent back into the game's final 1:38 minutes, saved the Cellulars from an embarrassing second straight loss with an all-around effort that included a nice feed on fellow greenhorn Andy Seigle and four consecutive free throws.

His presence in that crucial stage likewise lessened the sting of a choking full-court press employed by the Cowboys in clawing back from a 53-73 deficit in the 6:42-minute mark.

"Fran's responsible in giving us that big lead which we almost lost when I took him out of the game," said coach Norman Black. -EDGARD HILARIO

February 22,1997
Jacobs steers San Mig to a big 70-66 victory.

February 21,1997
Sta. Lucia guns for win No.2; Jacobs debuts with San Miguel.

February 20,1997
BCAP to pursue fight vs. Jacobs.

February 19,1997
Sta. Lucia posts 'ugly win' over Pop Cola.

Decimated Gordon's Gin drops Shell, 88-81.

Angry Ginebra finally drops bid to re-sign Feihl.

February 18,1997
Gordon's Gin, Shell mix it up tonight.

February 17,1997
Alaska thunders past Mobiline.

February 16,1997
PBA 23rd season opens with grand slam coaches.