Ginebra pulled away in the fourth quarter to add to Phoenix’s struggles, 109-96, and post back-to-back wins for the first time in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings trailed by four three minutes into the said period, but Justin Brownlee scored 10 straight to lead a 12-0 run to make it a 93-85 lead for themselves entering the last six minutes, effectively putting them ahead for good.
Stephen Holt, RJ Abarrientos, and Scottie Thompson then came through for the breakaway, joining hands to push their lead to 104-89 with 2:04 remaining in the game as the crowd darlings cruised to their fourth win in six outings thus far.
(C) PBA Images
“It’s a great win coming off a tough Magnolia game. It’s a short turnaround,” said Coach Tim Cone as they aced what had been a 48-hour blitz for the crew, with their first test a 91-89 escape against Magnolia at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Brownlee finished with a game-high 30 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, making 21 of his points in the second half to spearhead the turnaround.
Abarrientos fired 28 points and hauled down five rebounds to once again come up big, just like what he did in the Manila Clasico the last time out.
Thompson continued his fine play offensively with 17 points alongside four rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Holt added 13 as four of the starters finished in double figures in the win that lifted Ginebra to solo fourth.
So, from a shaky start in which they alternated wins and losses in their first four games, they’re now sitting behind Rain or Shine, Meralco, and NLEX.
Soon, the Kings will try to make it three successive wins when they face a skidding Terrafirma on Saturday, April 18, at the Ynares Center II in Montalban.
(C) PBA Images
James Dickey III, meanwhile, finished with 21 points, 21 rebounds, and nine assists, although his efforts weren’t enough to save Phoenix, which fell to its second loss in a row and dropped to an even 3-3 record in the standings.
Kenneth Tuffin nailed six threes and made 18 points, but was ejected from the match for a flagrant 1 infraction on Abarrientos with 2:48 left in the game.
Jason Perkins had 17 points as he and Tuffin combined for 10 of their team’s 15 triples. Evan Nelle added 11 for the Fuel Masters, who are keen to snap out of their funk versus Blackwater on Friday, April 17, in Montalban as well.
The Scores:
Ginebra 109 – Brownlee 30, Abarrientos 28, Thompson 17, Holt 13, Cu 6, Gray 4, Go 4, Rosario 3, J. Aguilar 2, Pinto 2, Estil 0, Torres 0
Phoenix 96 – Dickey 21, Tuffin 18, Perkins 17, Nelle 11, Rivero 9, Tio 9, Delos Santos 6, Escandor 5, Gozum 0, Santos 0
Quarterscores: 26-24, 48-56, 77-75, 109-96.
