Ginebra clinches 8-seed, QF spot with playoff win over Phoenix

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel secured its place in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup after outdueling the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 95-85, in a playoff for the No. 8 seed on Saturday at the Don Honorio Ventura State U Gym.

Prince Caperal led Ginebra with 19 points while Stanley Pringle contributed with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Christian Standhardinger chipped in with a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards.

With the win, they will set up a quarterfinal date with the No. 1 seed TNT Tropang Giga, who will have a twice-to-beat advantage in the series.

Ginebra banked on a 10-2 run late in the second quarter to open up a double-digit lead by halftime, 49-38. Aljon Mariano hit a three-pointer at the 4:05 mark to spark the run while Standhardinger, Pringle, and Joe Devance all contributed in that run as well.

Their defense was able to keep Phoenix star Matthew Wright in check in the first half as Wright was held in scoreless and missed all seven of his attempts from the field.

They built that lead to as high as 17 points in the fourth quarter before having to hold off a spirited challenge by the Fuel Masters late.

With Phoenix down, 90-73, Chris Banchero and Jake Pascual knocked down consecutive baskets before RJ Jazul drained a booming triple to give them signs of life. Wright then capped the 9-0 run with another basket to make it a single-digit lead, 90-82, just outside the last three minutes mark.

Key baskets from Standhardinger and Devance helped seal the win.

Jared Dillinger also finished in double figures for Ginebra with 13 points while LA Tenorio chipped in with nine markers and four assists.

Jason Perkins lead Phoenix with 15 points, including five three-pointers, while Banchero added 14.

Wright was able to buck his slow start to finish with 14 second half points, though he shot just 5-for-22 (22%) from the field in the knockout game.

Ginebra was missing the services of two key players in Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson.

The scores:
Barangay Ginebra (95) – Caperal 19, Pringle 17, Standhardinger 15, Dillinger 13, Tenorio 9, Devance 8, Mariano 8, Ayaay 4, Chan 2.

Phoenix (85) – Perkins 15, Banchero 14, Wright 14, Jazul 12, Pascual 11, Demusis 9, Muyang 5, Rios 3, Garcia 2, Melecio 0, Calisaan 0.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 49-38, 79-66, 95-85.

—JMB, GMA News