ANTIPOLO – Barangay Ginebra cruised to a 112-81 win over Phoenix Super LPG on Friday at the Ynares Center to advance to the semifinals of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
The second-seeded Gin Kings arranged a semifinal clash against Rain or Shine after they outscored the Fuelmasters, 34-15, in the second quarter to start the rout.
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The only time Ginebra looked concerned the entire game was after Justin Brownlee limped off the floor during the second half, but he himself later assured that he is fine.
Brownlee finished with 24 points, 13 in the first quarter to set the tone for the Gin Kings before the injury.
Scottie Thompson had a near triple-double of 13 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, and RJ Abarrientos had 16 points for Ginebra, which led by as many as 40 points, 101-61, during the fourth quarter.
“I just thought we executed at a really, really high level,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “Even when Justin left the floor, we continued to execute at a high level and generated a lot of good, open looks. The ball moved.”
“Defensively, in the beginning, I felt like we were giving up a lot of lay-ups, a lot of drives to the basket. Second quarter, we started to clean it up a little bit,” said Cone.
Ricci Rivero returned to Phoenix after missing their two previous games due to a left hand injury. He finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, but Phoenix couldn't overcome the early Ginebra onslaught.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 112 - Brownlee 24, Thompson 16, Abarrientos 16, Holt 11, Rosario 8, J. Aguilar 8, Pinto 7, Gray 6, Estil 5, Cu 3, Carino 2, Torres 2, Go 2, R. Aguilar 2, Abis 0.
Phoenix Super LPG 81 – Rivero 15, Williams 13, Tuffin 9, Nelle 9, Ando 7, Perkins 7, Tio 7, Ynot 6, Cullar 3, Santos 3, Daves 2, Delos Santos 0, Gozum 0.
Quarters: 30-29; 64-44; 90-54; 112-91.
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