PBA: Tony Bishop drops 34 as Ginebra downs Converge in season debut

Reinforcement Tony Bishop dropped 34 points as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel opened their campaign in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner's Cup with a win against the Converge FiberXers, 100-86, on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Bishop also registered 12 points, three steals, and two blocks in his debut as import for Ginebra.

Converge held the lead, 50-41, with less than four minutes left in the second period before Stanley Pringle and Scottie Thompson powered Ginebra to steal the advantage by the end of the first half, 54-52.

Ginebra then continued to pound on the FiberXers and led by as much as 16, 86-70, early in the final frame en route to the win.

Aside from Bishop, Christian Standhardinger also posted a double-double performance of 25 points and 16 rebounds.

Justin Arana flirted with a double-double of 20 points and eight rebounds, while import Tom Vodanovich and Jerrick Balanza chipped in 13 points apiece.

Ginebra will be facing the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots on Sunday in the Manila Clasico, while Converge will head to Tiaong, Quezon on Saturday for their next game against the San Miguel Beermen.

Scores:

Ginebra 100 – Bishop 34, Standhardinger 25, Thompson 13, J.Aguilar 11, Pringle 8, Ahanmisi 7, Pinto 2, Pessumal 0, Cu 0, Gumaru 0.

Converge 86 – Arana 20, Vodanovich 13, Balanza 13, Zaldivar 9, Nieto 7, Melecio 7, Stockton 6, Winston 5, Caralipio 3, Racal 3, Wong 0, Fornilos 0, Maagdenberg 0, Tallo 0.

Quarters: 25-30, 54-52, 80-67, 100-86.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News