MANILA, Philippines, February 6 ------ Barangay Ginebra has beaten Meralco seven out of nine times in their playoff encounters. The Gin Kings are close to making that 8-of-10 after outlasting Meralco, 100-92, in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum.
Former MVP Scottie Thompson delivered on all fronts with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals as Ginebra gained a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series and zeroed in on a sixth straight semifinal appearance. “We’re familiar with each other. We know the player tendencies. It is up to us how we’re going to execute the game plan,” said Thompson. Thompson poured all of his 7 fourth-quarter points in a 13-3 run the Gin Kings used to turn an 85-87 deficit to a 98-90 lead with under five minutes remaining as the Bolts ran out of gas.
Import Justin Brownlee also finished with 23 points with 9 rebounds, Japeth Aguilar supplied 19 points and 9 rebounds, while rookie RJ Abarrientos chalked up 14 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Only eight players saw action for Ginebra as head coach Tim Cone played Thompson and Brownlee for over 40 minutes, opting to stick to a short rotation in guiding the Gin Kings to their fifth straight win over Meralco.
The victory also put Ginebra in prime position to sweep the Bolts anew after its 3-0 dismantling of Meralco in the Governors’ Cup quarterfinals earlier this season. “All of the veterans played well because we know what is at stake and what we need to do to get to the finals. This is the start,” said Thompson. Chris Newsome tallied 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists to pace the Bolts, who absorbed their third straight loss after ending the elimination round with back-to-back defeats in the absence of import Akil Mitchell. Back in action after being sidelined with back issues, Mitchell put up all-around numbers of 19 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, although he shot just 7-of-19 from the field. Jansen Rios (13), Chris Banchero (12), and Bong Quinto (11) all scored in double figures in the losing effort.
The Scores
Barangay Ginebra 100 – Thompson 23, Brownlee 23, J. Aguilar 19, Abarrientos 14, Rosario 8, Malonzo 7, Holt 6, Ahanmisi 0.
Meralco 92 – Newsome 20, Mitchell 19, Rios 13, Banchero 12, Quinto 11, Almazan 8, Black 5, Hodge 4, Bates 0, Cansino 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 50-47, 78-76, 100-92.
Source: rappler.com
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