Ginebra pulls away late vs Meralco, forces do-or-die Game Three

Barangay Ginebra typified its never-say-die mantra as they survived Meralco in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinals duel, 94-87, to keep its bid alive in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday.

After squandering a double-digit lead late in the first half, Ginebra restored order in the fourth quarter with Japeth Aguilar, Christian Standhardinger, and Scottie Thompson showing the way to give their side a much-needed 85-81 lead with 3:46 left.

It ballooned to an eight-point advantage after a Stanley Pringle three-pointer, 94-86, with barely a minute left in the game en route to the win.

With the hard-fought victory, Ginebra forced a do-or-die Game Three with the winner advancing to the semifinals against San Miguel.

Aguilar led Ginebra with 25 points, including nine in the fourth, alongside eight rebounds and five blocks while Standhardinger finished with a double-double outing of 15 markers and 12 boards while also dishing out seven assists.

Meralco managed to keep a tight affair against Ginebra with Allein Maliksi and Cliff Hodge giving the Bolts a slim 39-38 lead halfway through the second period.

But Ginebra started to create a gap, igniting for an 18-6 closing tear in the frame behind the hot hands of Jeff Chan, whose two huge triples saw the Gin Kings lead by 11 at the half, 56-45.

Meralco, eager to put the series away, stepped on the gas pedal in the third after detonating for a 21-9 spurt led by Maliksi and Pasaol as they regained the lead, 66-65.

They even held a 71-69 cushion heading into the fourth, but Ginebra fought back to complete the victory.

Hodge had 25 points in the loss to go along with two rebounds and five assists while Maiksi and Pasaol each had 14 markers.

—JMB, GMA News