BARANGAY Ginebra moved one win away from advancing to the semifinals with a convincing 126-99 win over San Miguel on Friday in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Jordan Murphy was once again a force inside the paint in registering a near triple-double of 33 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists to lead the Gin Kings to a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five quarterfinal series.
Ginebra can move to the next phase with a sweep of San Miguel on Tuesday as the series goes to the City of Dasmariñas Arena.
Barangay Ginebra dominated the game, leading by as many as 33 points, 126-93, late in the game.
Murphy weathered the storm after Barangay Ginebra’s lead went down to one in the second quarter, 47-46, with the import scoring eight points to close the period with a 69-62 lead.
Barangay Ginebra was never seriously threatened afterwards with double-digit leads for a majority of the second half including a 20-point lead, 102-82, entering the fourth quarter.
“We’re definitely on a roll. Our offense is clicking and our guys are locked in defensively,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
The Gin Kings also limited San Miguel import George King to a conference-low 13 points.
RJ Abarrientos also had 22 points, five rebounds, and six assists, and Stephen Holt added 19 points for the Gin Kings. Scottie Thompson also had a double-double of 12 points and 11 assists.
Cjay Perez had 18 points and Jerrick Ahanmisi added 17 points for the Beermen, who trailed early, 34-24, at the end of the first quarter.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 126 – Murphy 33, Abarrientos 22, Holt 19, Thompson 12, J. Aguilar 9, Go 7, Rosario 7, Torres 6, Gray 5, Abis 3, Pinto 3.
San Miguel 99 – Perez 18, Ahanmisi 17, Fajardo 16, King 13, Trollano 13, Cruz 9, Calma 6, Brondial 4, Lassiter 2, Ross 1.
Quarters: 34-24; 69-62; 102-82; 126-99.
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