PBA: Jamie Malonzo's career-high outburst propels Ginebra past slumping Rain or Shine

Jamie Malonzo came out roaring right from the get-go to steer Barangay Ginebra to a 113-107 triumph against the struggling Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Malonzo recorded a new career-high 32 points built on five triples while also collecting eight rebounds, three assists, four blocks, and two steals as the Gin Kings were off to a hot start with a 1-0 card while dealing the Elasto Painters their third loss in as many games. 

It wasn't a breezy win for the Ginebra, who were coming off a long break following a semifinals finish in the Commissioner's Cup. 

The Elasto Painters, who were eager to end a pair of painful losses to kick off the All-Filipino tournament, staged multiple comeback attempts in the payoff period as they pulled to within seven after a split from Beau Belga, 99-92. 

Christian Standhardinger's three-point play followed by a Malonzo jumper and a couple of freebies from Maverick Ahanmisi then catapulted Ginebra to another huge cushion at 107-92. 

Rain or Shine then retaliated with three triples from Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac to make it a 111-105 affair before Rence Nocum's putback in the final 13 seconds allowed the Yeng Guaio-helmed squad trim the deficit to four, 111-107. 

Caracut almost forced a turnover on the inbound play from Ginebra, but he was whistled for a foul that led to two win-sealing free throws from Ahanmisi. 

Ahanmisi and Standhardinger both produced 18 points for Ginebra while Japeth Aguilar chipped in 17 markers off the bench as the Gin Kings played without its main guard Scottie Thompson. 

Scores:

Ginebra 113 – Malonzo 32, Standhardinger 18, Ahanmisi 18, J.Aguilar 17, Pringle 12, Cu 7, Pinto 5, Gumaru 3, Tenorio 1, Pessumal 0, Onwubere 0

Rain or Shine 107 – Asistio 21, Caracut 16, Santillan 16, Mamuyac 16, Belga 9, Borboran 8, Norwood 5, Clarito 4, Datu 0, Demusis 0

Quarters: 33-26, 58-52, 92-79, 113-107.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News