BARANGAY Ginebra pulled off a big comeback against NLEX, 103-99, on Saturday and clinched a twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi City, Albay.
Tony Bishop came up big in the clutch, draining a critical three right at the shotclock buzzer with 1:07 remaining that enabled Ginebra to eventually claim a hard-earned eighth win at the end of the elimination round.
READ SBP to name permanent Gilas coach, new pool 'very soon'
More importantly, Ginebra claimed the fourth and final twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinal, a huge boost to its title-retention bid in the season-opening conference.
NLEX failed to maintain its slim 94-91 lead in the fourth quarter and dropped to 4-7. The Road Warriors went down to ninth place and now need a loss by TNT to Phoenix Super LPG on Sunday to gain a playoff with their sister team for the No. 8 spot.
Ginebra looked headed for a botched play after Bishop momentarily lost the ball with the shotclock winding down. But Bishop kept his composure, regaining possession and hitting a deep three to close a 10-3 pullaway that gave Ginebra a 101-97 lead.
Stanley Pringle also made two free throws with 8.6 seconds left to complete a Ginebra fightback from a 79-68 deficit.
Bishop had 27 points and 13 rebounds while Christian Standhardinger and Jamie Malonzo had 18 and 16 points apiece. Maverick Ahanmisi had 13 points including a three with 2:16 left in the contest for a 96-94 Ginebra lead.
The loss spoiled the efforts of DeAndre Williams-Baldwin and rookies Enoch Valdez and Jhan Nermal, who combined for 59 points in the contest.
The scores:
Ginebra 103 – Bishop 27, Standhardinger 18, Malonzo 16, Ahanmisi 13, Pringle 13, J. Aguilar 6, Thompson 4, Pinto 3, Pessumal 3, Tenorio 0.
NLEX 99 – Williams-Baldwin 27, Valdez 17, Nermal 15, Semerad 14, Anthony 12, Bolick 10, Rodger 4, Miranda 0.
Quarters: 31-23; 53-54; 77-82; 103-99.
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.
