Barangay Ginebra survives pesky Meralco to cap elims run on high note
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Barangay Ginebra survived Meralco's late rally, 91-87, Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ginebra held a slim 44-42 lead by halftime before making a 17-2 run in the third period to take its biggest lead, 61-44, at the 6:42 mark of the said frame. The third period closed with Barangay Ginebra holding a 68-59 advantage before the Bolts made a late rally in an attempt to steal the game.
Trailing by ten at the 6:07 mark of the fourth period, the Bolts made a 10-2 run, six points of which came from Bong Quinto, to inch closer, 83-81, with around three minutes left. RJ Abarrientos' free throws off a Chris Banchero foul gave Ginebra a four-point lead, which was followed by Von Pessumal's basket which shifted the momentum back to the Gin Kings.
Another set of free throws from Abarrientos gave Ginebra an 89-84 lead after Aaron Black's split and Rios' layup.
Black, however, drilled a triple to cut the Bolts' deficit to within two with 30 seconds left. Abarrientos, again from the line, shot two off a Kurt Reyson foul to eventually seal the win as CJ Cansino missed his attempt to tie the game from the four-point arc.
Abarrientos had 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while import Justin Brownlee had 15 points, five boards, five assists, and a steal. Troy Rosario and Stephen Holt, meanwhile, had 13 points apiece.
"This game was more of an opportunity for us to get ready for the playoffs," Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said. "You don't want your starters or your core to get injured in a game like this and you want to make sure that guys who don't play a lot of minutes to stay sharp for the playoffs."
CJ Cansino led the all-Filipino Bolts in scoring with 15 points, while Raymond Almazan registered a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, along with one steal. Import Akil Mitchell missed the game due to back spasms.
With the win, Barangay Ginebra finished its elimination round campaign with an 8-4 win-loss record. On the other hand, Meralco slipped to 7-4. The win also assured NorthPort of the top spot and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Meralco will still face Magnolia on Friday, while Barangay Ginebra's quarterfinals opponent has yet to be determined.
Scores:
Barangay Ginebra 91 – Abarrientos 17, Brownlee 15, Rosario 13, Holt 13, Malonzo 9, Pessumal 7, Ahanmisi 6, J.Aguilar 4, Thompson 2, R. Aguilar 2, Pinto 2, Tenorio 1, Cu 0, Mariano 0.
Meralco 87 – Cansino 15, Almazan 13, Black 11, Hodge 9, Newsome 9, Quinto 8, Torres 5, Rios 5, Pasaol 4, Banchero 4, Batess 4, Reyson 0.
Quarters: 21-22, 44-42, 68-59, 91-87.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News