Scottie Thompson sends Barangay Ginebra to the finals with game-winner vs Meralco

Scottie Thompson hit a cold-blooded triple to send Barangay Ginebra to the PBA Philippine Cup finals, 83-80, in Game 5 of their semifinals series against Meralco on Friday.

Reynel Hugnatan tied the game with his own three-pointer with 14.5 seconds left off an inbound pass, but the Bolts' hopes were dashed as Thompson let it fly from the left corner in the final possession.

The Gin Kings faced a 65-71 deficit with 6:30 left in the fourth quarter, but Thompson, Stanley Pringle, and LA Tenorio took turns scoring points to give their team a 76-73 lead with less than two minutes remaining.

Allein Maliksi hit a long jumper to put Meralco within one point, but he fouled out the next possession as Thompson drove to the basket.

Thompson sank both free throws to give Ginebra more breathing room, 78-75, but Chris Newsome answered again with an off-the-glass layup for the Bolts.

Newsome had the chance to win it all for Meralco, but his triple attempt missed and the Bolts had to give up the foul. Tenorio sank both free throws, 80-77, setting up the stage for Hugnatan's and Thompson's clutch three-pointers.

Ginebra will face TNT in a seven-game series to determine the champion of the All-Filipino conference.

Box score:

Barangay Ginebra — Pringle 22, Thompson 20, Tenorio 14, Aguilar 12, Caperal 5, Mariano 5, Dillinger 3, Devance 2, Tolentino 0, Chan 0.

Meralco — Newsome 15, Hodge 14, Quinto 14, Hugnatan 12, Maliksi 12, Jackson 4, Almazan 4, Amer 3, Black 2, Pinto 0, Jamito 0.

—MGP, GMA News