RJ Abarrientos erupts for career-high 28 vs San Miguel as Barangay Ginebra nears Finals

RJ Abarrientos erupted for a career-high 28 points to lead Barangay Ginebra past San Miguel, 121-92, in Game 5 of the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Abarrientos sank a four-pointer and three triples en route to the career-high, along with three rebounds and two assists, as Ginebra claimed a 3-2 series lead and moved a win away from a Finals berth.

Barangay Ginebra erased a 13-point deficit in the first period and never looked back as it outscored San Miguel, 29-17, in the second period to claim a 63-50 lead.  The Gin Kings also pounded on the Beermen in the fourth period with another 29 point eruption against San Miguel's 13.

"I think we were too pumped up in the beginning and we weren't really thinking the game. We just gotta turn around and got a lot of contributions from everybody," Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said.

Abarrientos, meanwhile, said he was just doing his role for the team.

"Wala naman ako masyadong inisip ngayon. I just stuck with the system. I just go with the flow sa offense and defense. Ginagawa ko lang part ko coming from the bench, " Abarrientos said about his career-high. 

"He's a starter off the bench. No doubt about it," Cone added. "He's gonna be a starter for years and years. I'm just proud of him for taking that role and going with it."

Thompson, meanwhile, had 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while import Justin Brownlee had 18 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for Barangay Ginebra.

SMB import EJ Anosike had 21 points, while June Mar Fajardo had 18 rebounds, 17 points, and two assists.

Game 6 of the semis will be played on Sunday.

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 121 – Abarrientos 28, Thompson 22, Brownlee 18, J.Aguilar 15, Ahanmisi 13, Holt 9, Cu 4, Pinto 3, Adamos 2, Devance 2, Pessumal 2, R.Aguilar 2, Mariano 1.

San Miguel 92 – Anosike 21, Fajardo 17, Perez 16, Lassiter 16, Trollano 7, Ross 4, Enciso 4, Cruz 3, Brondial 2, Romeo 2, Nava 0, Tautuaa 0, Rosales 0.

Quarters: 34-33, 63-50, 92-79, 121-92.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News