BARANGAY Ginebra went on attack mode right away and cruised to a 108-77 thrashing of Terrafirma and moved closer of clinching a berth in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup. Friday night.
Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario sparked the Kings’ sizzling start that saw them raced to as many as 22 points in the first half alone at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Ginebra has now won three games in a row and went over the .500 mark for the first time this season with a 5-4 slate.
Aguilar had all of his 12 points in the first two quarters and finished with seven rebounds, while Rosario had seven of his 13 points in the second period.
Ginebra's bench steps up
The Kings’ bench then sustained the momentum in the second half as Jayson David, Norbert Torres, and rookie Sonny Estil joined the fray later and helped the Kings post a lead of as large as 86-52.
David scored 14 of his game-high 16 points in the final period, Torres went 2-of-4 from three-point range to finish with 13, while Estil added 12.
In all, Ginebra outscored Terrafirma in bench points, 61-42.
“Our bench played well. Guys coming off the bench were able to continue the momentum the starters had brought,” acknowledged coach Tim Cone later.
“Just the recognition of these guys understanding the magnitude of these last two games, how important they were, and something that we can’t split obviously,” Cone added as the Kings were coming off a 103-85 decision against Blackwater two days ago.
Paolo Hernandez came with 15 points, Mark Nonoy with 11, and rookie JM Bravo had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for Terrafirma, which suffered its eight straight loss for a 1-9 record.
Top gunner Jerrick Ahanmisi was held to a 2-of-12 shooting from the field and finished with just five points for the Dyip.
The scores
Barangay Ginebra 108 – David 16, Rosario 13, Torres 13, Aguilar 12, Estil 12, Thompson 10, Holt 9, Abarrientos 9, R. Aguilar 6, Gray 3, Cu 3, Pinto 2, Adamos 0.
Terrafirma 77 – Hernandez 15, Nonoy 11, Bravo 10, Sangalang 9, Mariano 8, Garcia 8, Ahanmisi 5, Rivero 4, Hanapi 3, Catapusan 2, Paraiso 0, Olivario 0, Bataller 0.
Quarters: 25-13; 52-36; 80-50; 108-77.
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