Though no longer eligible for a twice-to-beat edge, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel did not let up, trouncing the Meralco Bolts, 86-76, for their fourth win in a row in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The win improved Ginebra to 7-3 and enabled them to lock the third seed.
“We need one of our last two games to make sure we move up to the third spot, so it was important for us to go out and get this one,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
Greg Slaughter captained the Barangay with 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Japeth Aguilar supplied 12 points, eight rebounds, and three dimes. Meanwhile, wingmen Jeff Chan and Kevin Ferrer added 11 markers apiece.
After a tight first half, the Barangay managed to pull away in the third quarter by unfurling 12 straight en route to a 51-39 lead. The Gin Kings would go on to lead by as many as 15, 67-52, with less than 11 minutes to go in the fourth.
The Bolts tried to mount a comeback, as Trevis Jackson made a three-point play to pull his side to within six, 79-73, with 2:21 left. But Aljon Mariano, Thompson, and Slaughter steadied the ship towards the win.
The win was marred by a garbage-time basket by Raymond Aguilar in the dying seconds. The incident infuriated Cone – the decorated mentor has never liked the idea of scoring more when the game has been all but decided.
“I’m furious at Raymond for taking that last shot. I’m absolutely steaming. I make a big deal about that, about not doing that to us, and then I have a guy who goes out there and does. I am steaming mad,” Cone expressed.
Rookie Trevis Jackson led the also-ran Meralco with 18 points, four assists, two rebounds, and a steal in nearly 27 minutes. Cliff Hodge supplied 12 points, while KG Cañaleta chipped in 10 markers and six boards off the bench
The Bolts ended the conference with a 3-8 record.
The Barangay will look to close the elimination round on a high note when they take on the playoff-hoping NorthPort Batang Pier – who are in the midst of back-to-back wins – next Wednesday, April 3, still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Ginebra 86 – Slaughter 18, Aguilar J. 12, Chan 11, Ferrer 11, Tenorio 8, Dela Cruz 6, Thompson 6, Mariano 5, Mercado 5, Caguioa 2, Aguilar R. 2, Caperal 0, Teodoro 0.
Meralco 76 – Jackson 18, Hodge 12, Canaleta 10, De Ocampo 7, Quinto 6, Salva 5, Jamito 4, Tolomia 4, Newsome 3, Amer 3, Hugnatan 2, Pinto 2, Faundo 0, Caram 0.
Quarterscores: 15-17, 35-34, 63-50, 86-76.
