Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos shoots against Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra cranked things up in the second half to run away with an 88-63 victory over Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday night.
Buoyed by RJ Abarrientos’ fine play in the third quarter, the Gin Kings claimed their sixth win in nine meetings to join Converge, and guest club Hong Kong in the middle of the tournament’s top 8 squads.
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“Our motivation was our struggles from before. For us to get to the playoffs, it has to start now … This game against Blackwater is a stepping stone for us,” said the rookie playmaker, who finished with 15 points in the triumph at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
READ: PBA: Ginebra doomed by slow start vs NorthPort, admits Tim Cone
Resident import Justin Brownlee had a team-best 18 points to pace several contributors, which included high-leaping forward Jamie Malonzo who finally played his first game back from a calf problem he sustained last April.
“For Jamie, it’s been a long, long road for him. We’ve watched him from the side and seen the work he’s done. So it’s just a culmination of the hard work of getting back into the lineup,” said coach Tim Cone who heaped praises on his old reliable after finishing eight points and three boards despite playing through minutes restriction.
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Blackwater reinforcement George King had 27 points and six rebounds while Jaydee Tungcab added 10 more as they were the only bright spots in the club’s season-worst scoring, which was also the lowest by any team since Magnolia’s 51 points against Meralco’s 74 during the Philippine Cup last summer. The Bossing slipped to 1-7.
READ: PBA: NorthPort beats Ginebra for first time in five years
The crowd darlings take on TNT on Friday next, looking to string another back-to-back after their streak was halted by league-leading NorthPort earlier last week.
The Bossing, meanwhile, will try to make the most out of a match against winless Terrafirma which is slated this coming Wednesday.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 86 – Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 15, J.Aguilar 10, Ahanmisi 9, Malonzo 8, Holt 8, Rosario 8, Thompson 5, Pessumal 5, Cu 0, Mariano 0, Adamos 0, Pinto 0
BLACKWATER 63 – King 27, Tungcab 10, Suerte 9, David 5, Kwekuteye 4, Ponferrada 3, Guinto 2, Montalbo 0, Chua 0, Corteza 0, Hill 0, Casio 0, Jopia 0, Escoto 0
Quarterscores : 19-13, 39-32, 66-45, 86-63
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