Ginebra needed to survive another late-game scare by Rain or Shine before coming away with the narrow 103-98 decision to take a 2-1 lead in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semis, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Kings already led by 11 with about three minutes remaining, but the Elasto Painters leaned on the hot shooting of Caelan Tiongson and import Jaylen Johnson to cut the gap to just three, 101-98, with 13.1 seconds to go.
But similar to the last game, their foes would run out of steam. Stephen Holt then hit his free throws with 11.4 left for the final count to complete the comeback that witnessed the crew trail by as many as 13 points early.
(C) PBA Images
“We looked like we got the game in hand until Johnson hit another four-pointer down the stretch — second time he did that; in the first game too … Luckily, we were able to hold on this time after that,” said head coach Tim Cone.
Scottie Thompson starred in the win with 25 points, 10 of which came in the third. He led the turnaround, specifically the 12-2 run for a 71-61 lead approaching the quarter’s last four minutes to get ahead permanently.
The crowd darlings owned the period, 29-12, thanks to the former league MVP, who shot 9-of-13 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from three. He also collected seven rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block in 36 minutes.
“That kinda turned a little bit in that third quarter,” Cone said. “Justin started getting going, RJ hit a couple of shots, Scottie was awesome all night.”
Justin Brownlee had 24 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. BPC frontrunner RJ Abarrientos, after ditching the protective mask he wore for his injured nose early, finished with 17 points, three rebounds, and five assists.
Holt chipped in 11 points and seven assists, with Troy Rosario and Japeth Aguilar combining for 16 points and 11 rebounds plus three assists.
Ginebra will try to build a commanding 3-1 lead in the pivotal Game 4 this Wednesday, May 27, 5:15 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) PBA Images
Johnson led Rain or Shine with a near-triple-double. He finished with 23 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists, plus a block in the defeat — their second straight in this series after taking Game 1 last Wednesday in Antipolo.
Tiongson, back in action from diarrhea, had 23 as well behind seven triples. Adrian Nocum had 17 points while Andrei Caracut added 15.
Caracut scored all of his points in the opening period to give his side a 26-13 lead, but couldn’t sustain his rhythm, which created an opening for their more experienced counterparts to come back and seize control.
The Scores:
Ginebra 103 – Thompson 25, Brownlee 24, Abarrientos 17, Holt 9, Rosario 9, J.Aguilar 7, Gray 7, Cu 3, Pinto 0, Go 0, Torres 0.
Rain or Shine 98 – Tiongson 23, Johnson 23, Nocum 17, Caracut 15, Mamuyac 7, Clarito 5, David 3, Asistio 3, Malonzo 2, Santillan 0, Manaytay 0.
Quarterscores: 27-30, 48-56, 77-68, 103-98.
