RJ ABARRIENTOS carried Barangay Ginebra to a 105-85 win over Converge on Christmas Day to force a knockout game in the quarterfinals of the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Abarrientos scored a career-high 35 points, including the killer blows in the fourth quarter to keep the Gin Kings’ conference alive, extending the quarterfinals series to a rubber duel on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Season 49 Rookie of the Year had 19 points in the final period, the highlight of which being a three-point shot that padded the lead to double-digits, 83-73, for the first time in the contest.
Ginebra's team win
He also got some help with Japeth Aguilar finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, and four blocks, and Scottie Thompson posting a triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
“I want to say that it’s an RJ show. He had a tremendous second half. But Scottie ended up with a triple-double as well. It was a complete team exercise,” said coach Tim Cone.
Abarrientos made a three followed by a reverse lay-up by Jayson David to further increase the gap to 90-75.
The fourth-seeded Converge couldn’t capitalize on its twice-to-beat advantage, as they were forced to a do-or-die clash.
After scoring 32 points in the eliminations against Ginebra, Juan Gomez de Liano was limited to nine points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field.
The Scores:
Barangay Ginebra 105 – Abarrientos 35, J. Aguilar 16, Thompson 13, Holt 11, Rosario 10, Cu 8, David 6, Gray 2, Torres 2, Adamos 2, Estil 0, R. Aguilar 0.
Converge 85 – Baltazar 19, Winston 14, Stockton 12, Garcia 10, Gomez de Liano 9, Manuel 7, Arana 6, Concepcion 5, Muyang 3, Caralipio 0, Eguilos 0, Delos Santos 0, Racal 0.
Quarters: 23-21; 41-42; 70-64; 105-85.
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