Eastern hands Barangay Ginebra's first loss in PBA Commissioner's Cup

Hong Kong Eastern handed Barangay Ginebra its first loss, 93-90, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Eastern had its biggest lead, 70-57, around the halfway mark of the third period before the said frame closed at 73-67, in favor of the Hong Kong-based team.

In the fourth period, Eastern led 88-80 with less than three minutes left before Barangay Ginebra attempted a comeback. Ginebra went as close as 89-86 with 1:04 left, but Hayden Blankley made a basket to further widen Eastern's lead.

Free throws from Japeth Aguilar and RJ Abarrientos put Barangay Ginebra within one, 91-90, with four ticks left, before freebies from Blankley off a Stephen Holt foul put Eastern at 93. Scottie Thompson missed his final attempt as the Hong Kong-based squad notched their third straight win.

Blankley had 25 points, while Chris McLaughlin had 20 points and 21 boards as Eastern improved to 5-1.

Japeth Aguilar had 26 points, while Justine Brownlee had 18 points and 12 rebounds as Ginebra slipped to 2-1.

Earlier, San Miguel (3-2) won against Blackwater (1-4), 115-102.

Scores

First Game

San Miguel 115 – Jones 29, Fajardo 27, Perez 15, Cruz 14, Trollano 11, Cahilig 8, Lassiter 5, Ross 4, Rosales 2, Tautuaa 0, Enciso 0, Brondial 0.

Blackwater 102 – King 40, Barefield 17, David 10, Ilagan 9, Chua 6, Ponferrada 6, Suerte 5, Kwekuteye 5, Guinto 4, Casio 0, Escoto 0, Hill 0.

Quarters: 18-26, 55-48, 85-77, 115-102.

Second Game

Eastern 93 – Blankley 25, McLaughlin 20, Cao 14, Yang 11, Lam 8, Chan 6, Guinchard 5, Leung 3, Xu 1, Cheung 0, Zhu 0.

Barangay Ginebra 90 – J.Aguilar 26, Brownlee 18, Holt 14, Abarrientos 12, Rosario 12, Thompson 8, Ahanmisi 0, Cu 0, Adamos 0.

Quarters: 26-25, 54-44, 73-67, 93-90.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News