for their first win in the Reinforced Conference after losing their first game to San Miguel. Billy Ray Bates scored 52 points while Chito Loyzaga forces extension period when he nailed a three-pointer from the side that tied the count at 109-all with still 20 seconds to go in regulation. October 25: The Ginebras rekindled the old fire in Billy Ray Bates to survive Shell Azocord's repeated rallies, 132-123, and collect their third win in seven outings. Bates match his career-highest of 69 points and fired five of seven three-pointers to power Ginebra to its biggest lead of 33 points, 72-39, early in the third quarter. October 27: Billy Ray Bates scored 61 points as Ginebra clinch the fourth semifinals slot in the Reinforced Conference with a 125-101 win over Hills Bros. November 8: Billy Ray Bates surpassed his personal best of 69-point output by scoring 71 points in Ginebras' 118–106 win over Shell Azocord at the start of the semifinals. November 22: Billy Ray Bates equalled his personal high of 71 points as Ginebra foiled San Miguel Beer's quest for a finals berth with a 143-121 triumph. The win was only the third for Ginebra in 20 meetings against their sister team, it also snapped their seven straight losses to San Miguel counting the previous All-Filipino Conference. November 29: Ginebra forces a winner-take-all, sudden death playoff for the second finals slot against Hills Bros by defeating the Coffee Kings, 90-85. Occurrences Before the PBA Third Conference started on October 4, the league mourns the loss of Ginebra team manager Adolf Ferrer, who was a victim of a brutal slaying by robbers headed by his own driver. Roster Imports References Barangay Ginebra San Miguel seasons Ginebra