Ginebra weathered Rain or Shine’s late-game storm and escaped with the 109-101 narrow victory to even things out in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Kings were already holding a comfortable 101-84 lead with 4:55 remaining but the Elasto Painters finally got the rhythm they’ve been trying to generate since falling flat during the opening period, behind another collective effort.
Gian Mamuyac provided the spark, Jhonard Clarito caught fire and scored six straight, before Jaylen Johnson buried a three to conclude a 13-0 spree that chopped the gap to a single possession, 101-97, with 1:37 to spare.
Adrian Nocum had the chance to cut it further but Justin Brownlee got him checked underneath the rim, and Scottie Thompson would go on to give them extra space to breath by going perfect from the free throw line.
Clarito cut the spread to four once more but they could no longer put together one good run, with Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos providing the finishing touches the final 23.3 seconds on the way to taking Game 2.
