BARANGAY Ginebra engineered another come-from-behind win over Magnolia, overhauling a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit for an 85-81 victory on Sunday in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings came roaring back from a 71-61 deficit behind timely baskets by Jamie Malonzo, Troy Rosario and Stephen Holt to revive their bid for a Top 4 spot - and twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals - with a 6-3 win-loss card.
READ Defiant Scottie insists Ginebra still controls its own destiny
The Hotshots failed to fire down the stretch and were outscored, 29-15, in the final quarter. Paul Lee's miss from four-point distance condemned them to only their second loss in nine games - good for a share of the lead with NLEX.
Malonzo came off the bench to contribute 11 points and five boards. His lone three-pointer of the game opened an 85-79 lead for Ginebra with 1:22 minutes left to play.
The win came just two days after Ginebra’s 82-73 loss to Meralco last Friday where they were unable to holf off a late Bolts pullaway.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said they considered Sunday as a playoff game as a loss would have seen them fading out of range for a twice-to-beat spot. Now the Kings are in solo fourth place - half a game ahead of Rain or Shine and TNT.
“It was a huge statement for us,” said Cone. “We were playing for our playoff lives. We put a couple of losses together, would have been tough to get back into the hunt for the Top Four. But this keeps us firmly in the hunt, allows us to control our own destiny.”
Japeth Aguilar had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Rosario added 15 points, and Holt produced 14 points and seven rebounds for the Gin Kings.
Ian Sangalang and Zavier Lucero each had 16 points for Magnolia, which has now lost two of its last three games.
The loss also ruined the Magnolia debut of William Navarro, who was acquired in a trade with NorthPort for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a future draft pick. He finished with five points and four rebounds.
Incidentally, it was Navarro’s lone three of the game that handed Magnolia a 71-61 lead before Ginebra essayed the comeback.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 85 – J. Aguilar 17, Rosario 15, Holt 14, Malonzo 11, Abarrientos 10, David 5, Thompson 5, Adamos 4, Pinto 4, Gray 0.
Magnolia 81 – Lucero 16, Sangalang 16, Laput 9, Barroca 9, Lastimosa 8, Lee 6, Navarro 5, Dela Rosa 5, Alfaro 4, Dionisio 3.
Quarters: 22-24; 44-39; 59-68; 85-81.
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