BARANGAY Ginebra survived hard-fighting Blackwater, 115-108, on Friday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings overcame the Bossing's fiery 17-1 and 23-3 start to the game as well as their numerous rallies to win for the fourth straight time and move to a share of second place with NLEX (6-2) in the team standings.
READ Japeth heads straight to hospital after Upshaw collision
Ginebra also had to survive a 43-point night of Blackwater import Robert Upshaw III, who gave the Bossing a 96-93 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
A wide-open three-pointer made by Nards Pinto after missing a previous attempt from that distance, practically sealed the deal with 1:13 left in the game after the Gin Kings struggled to hang on to a 110-108 lead.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said he didn't expect an easy game from a Blackwater team that was coming off a 126-120 win over powerhouse San Miguel last Wednesday.
“They were ready to come out,” said Cone, referring to the hot start by Blackwater. “We weren't so ready to start the game but they were ready to come out. We knew they would be because they have the confidence after beating San Miguel.”
The Bossing dropped to 2-8 win-loss despite the gallant fight.
Ginebra opened a sizeable 103-96 advantage after a 10-0 run finished by two threes by Stephen Holt, but Blackwater kept fighting back behind Sedrick Barefield whose four-point shot slices the gap to two, 110-108.
Justin Brownlee had 21 points to lead six players in double digits that included Japeth Aguilar (11), but the big man's night ended early after a hard fall early in the fourth quarter.
Scottie Thompson added 19 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, and RJ Abarrientos had 18 points. Troy Rosario added 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Barefield also had 25 points but the Bossing fell short of their first winning streak of the conference under new head coach Pat Aquino.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 115 - Brownlee 21, Thompson 19, Abarrientos 18, Rosario 17, Holt 13, J. Aguilar 11, Pinto 5, Gray 4, Cu 3, Go 2, Torres 2.
Blackwater 108 – Upshaw 43, Barefield 25, David 15, Andrade 8, Zamar 6, Tratter 5, Escoto 2, Una 2, Austria 2.
Quarters: 16-26; 50-42; 85-78; 115-108.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
