Ginebra inched closer to the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals following an easy 108-77 victory over the also-ran Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Friday.
The Kings raced to a 20-6 start seven minutes into the match, and that’s all they needed to eventually turn the game into a lopsided affair toward extending their winning streak to three, in the process climbing up a step in the standings.
From sitting in eighth, the crowd darlings have taken the no. 7 spot from the 4-4 Meralco, although the Bolts could regain as much should they handle business against another playoff-hunting team in Phoenix later in the night.
(C) PBA Images
“The idea is to always try to create momentum going into the playoffs,” offered head coach Tim Cone as the Barangay are now in the midst of a winning run after a slow start to the season, where they lost four of their first six games.
“Our guys, they knew the magnitude of these two games this Wednesday and Friday in terms of the big picture, in terms of us securing a spot in the playoffs–and still, maybe, get lucky and get into the Top Four,” he added.
All but one of the 13 players scored in the wire-to-wire win, with six finishing in double figures, led by Jayson David with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Norbert Torres and Troy Rosario made 13 points each. Japeth Aguilar and rookie Sonny Estil supplied 12 points apiece while Scottie Thompson did a little bit of everything with 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
So comfortable was the win that it allowed Cone to rest his starters, which should bode well for the crew entering their upcoming trip to Bahrain, where they will be facing Rain or Shine on December 17 at the Khalifa Sport City.
(C) PBA Images
“We know we’ve got a tough assignment in front of us in Rain or Shine. They’re the league leaders,” said Cone of their 7-2 foes. “They’re playing really well when they have to down the stretch. That makes them a high-character team.”
Paolo Hernandez and Mark Nonoy, meanwhile, had 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Dyip, who fell to 1-9 after the humiliating defeat.
The Scores:
Ginebra 108 – David 16, Rosario 13, Torres 13, Estil 12, J.Aguilar 12, Thompson 10, Abarrientos 9, Holt 9, Cu 3, R.Aguilar 3, Gray 3, Pinto 2, Adamos 0.
Terrafirma 77 – Hernandez 15, Nonoy 11, Sangalang 9, Mariano 8, Bravo 8, Garcia 6, Rivero 4, Hanapi 3, Ahanmisi 2, Catapusan 2, Zaldivar 2, Paraiso 0, Olivario 0, Bataller 0.
Quarterscores: 25-13, 52-35, 80-50, 108-77.
