Phoenix Super LPG escaped the debuting Ginebra by the skin of its teeth with an 81-78 decision to net its third win in as many games in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Sunday night.
The Fuel Masters were already leading by 14 with less than five minutes to go, but the Gin Kings slowly cut the gap. They managed to get to within a single possession behind new import Riley Grigsby with only 3.7 seconds remaining.
It didn’t help that BJ Johnson missed both of his free throws shortly after. But the former NBA pro made sure not to fumble on the defensive end, denying Jeremiah Gray a good look from the four-point line as time expired.
With the win, Phoenix has gained the provisional lead in Group B with a 3-0 record — the first time it has started a conference this well since going 5-0 to open the 2019 Philippine Cup, per league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
(C) PBA Images
“We’re having a little luck, and we don’t want to let it slip away. Ginebra is a different team out there without their MVPs,” Coach Charles Tiu said.
“They don’t have Scottie Thompson, and they don’t have Justin Brownlee. We’re close to choking, and we’re happy nanalo pa rin kami,” he added.
Johnson top-scored in the win with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, five steals, and two blocks as he led the welcoming committee for Gian Mamuyac, whom they got via trade with Rain or Shine last Thursday.
The former Elasto Painters cap finished with six points on 3-of-4 shooting from the floor, a rebound, three assists, and a block in 18 minutes off the bench.
Ricci Rivero made 16 points and nine rebounds against eight turnovers. Kai Ballungay supplied 12 points and five rebounds while Jason Perkins added 10 markers and seven boards as the usual suspects came through again.
(C) PBA Images
Put into naught by the narrow defeat were the game-high outputs of 42 points and 13 rebounds by Grigsby, who was brought in as a substitute as resident import Justin Brownlee focuses on his recovery from leg injuries.
And he was the lone bright spot for the Kings. No other player finished in double figures, with RJ Abarrientos bleeding for eight points on 16 shots.
“We wanted to try to catch them off guard as it’s their first game, and they’re playing with a new import. We tried to step on the gas,” Tiu said.
The Scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 81 – Johnson 23, Rivero 16, Ballungay 12, Perkins 10, Tuffin 9, Mamuyac 6, Delos Santos 3, Tio 2, Santos 0, Chua 0.
Ginebra 78 – Grigsby 42, Gray 9, Abarrientos 8, Pinto 6, Abis 5, Rosario 4, Torres 3, J.Aguilar 1, Holt 0, Cu 0, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 32-15, 48-36, 66-55, 81-78.
