Barangay Ginebra grabs solo lead after beating TNT

Barangay Ginebra grabbed the solo lead in the PBA standings after prevailing over TNT, 85-79, in the elimination round of the Philippine Cup on Friday.

Stanley Pringle continued his stellar performance for the Gin Kings with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Japeth Aguilar added a double-double outing with 19 markers and 11 boards.

Jayson Castro came off the bench to lead the Tropang Giga, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists in the loss.

Ginebra set the tone early with a 20-11 start in the first quarter and stayed ahead the rest of the game. TNT came within one possession with 5:41 left in the final frame, 72-70, but they could not turn the tables until the final buzzer.

The Gin Kings now hold a 7-2 card with two remaining games in their schedule. They will play depleted San Miguel Beer on Sunday and cellar-dwelling Terrafirma on Monday.

The Tropang Giga, meanwhile, tied for second with Phoenix with a 6-3 card. They will face Meralco on Saturday and Rain or Shine on Tuesday.

Box score:

Barangay Ginebra — Pringle 28, Aguilar 19, Tenorio 15, Dillinger 7, Tolentino 6, Thompson 4, Caperal 2, Chan 2, Mariano 2, Balanza 0.

TNT — Castro 19, Erram 17, Parks 15, Pogoy 12, Washington 9, Enciso 3, Rosario 2, De Leon 2, Reyes 0, Semerad 0, Montalbo 0.

—MGP, GMA News