Barangay Ginebra, sans Tim Cone, downs Converge for share of top spot

Playing without their head coach Tim Cone, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel took down the Converge FiberXers, 105-89, on Friday in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tim Cone, early this week, flew to the US to be a part of the Miami Heat's coaching staff in the NBA Summer League. Richard del Rosario temporarily holds the fort in lieu of Cone's absence.

After leading by just five points, 50-45, at the end of the first half, Ginebra pounded in the third quarter and made a 30-point rampage against Converge's 20 to end the frame at 80-65. Ginebra had their biggest lead in the said frame at 74-56, before they led again by 18 twice in the fourth period and gave the FiberXers a hard time catching up.

Scottie Thompson provided MVP numbers for his squad with 24 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Japeth Aguilar and Christian Standhardinger posted double-doubles with the former making 20 points and 11 boards, and Standhardinger with a 13-13 statline.

Allyn Bulanadi tallied 16 markers for Converge, while Abu Tratter added 13 in the loss.

With the win, Ginebra grabbed a share of the top spot with the San Miguel Beermen at 5-1. Converge, on the other hand, had their fifth loss in seven games.

Ginebra will be back in action on Wednesday against Terrafirma Dyip while Converge will try to snap their back-to-back losses when they play NLEX on Thursday.

—JMB, GMA News