Barangay Ginebra squandered a huge lead early but recovered its bearings late to survive a brave challenge from Rain or Shine and pick up a 93-81 win Friday (Saturday in Manila) in front of a boisterous crowd at the Al Shabab Sports Club in Dubai.
Orlando Johnson scored 10 of his 25 points in the third period to answer every Rain or Shine attempt at stealing the match. He added 10 rebounds and 7 assists in the win that propelled Ginebra to 2-3 in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Mark Caguioa fired 16 of his 21 points in the first quarter alone, helping Ginebra erect a commanding 28-14 lead after the opener with Caguioa outscoring the entire Rain or Shine crew by himself.
Japeth Aguilar’s return boosted the Kings’ frontline, providing rim protection and forcing the Elasto Painters to settle for outside shots. The lead ballooned to 20 midway in the second quarter, but the Elasto Painters rode on the dominance of Wendell McKines undearneath to slowly erase the gap.
A one-hander by McKines later in the third period gave Rain or Shine the 55-54 lead, but Johnson scored six as Ginebra closed the frame outscoring the Elasto Painters after that point, 17-10.
A 7-2 run in the opening moments of the final quarter engineered by Johnson and LA Tenorio made it a double-digit lead anew for the Kings, which went dodging bullets after to preserve the victory.
Tenorio finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists while Aguilar notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back from a hamstring injury.
McKines led the Elasto Painters with 35 points and 14 rebounds but did not get ample help from the locals, even as the team only had 5 assists in the entire contest as they dropped to 1-3 in the conference.
The Scores:
Ginebra (93) – Johnson 25, Caguioa 21, Tenorio 20, Aguilar 15, Marcelo 5, Baracael 5, Brondial 2, Mercado 0, Urbiztondo 0, Pena 0, Tungalag 0.
Rain or Shine (81) – McKines 35, Lee 10, Araña 9, Norwood 5, Jr. Cruz 9, Jv. Cruz 4, Uyloan 2, Ibañes 2, Tang 2, Almazan 2, Quiñahan 1, Belga 0.
Quarters: 28-14, 49-42, 71-65, 93-81.
