Ginebra outlasts Blackwater, improves to 5-4

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel improved to 5-4 in the PBA Philippine Cup following a 99-90 victory against the Blackwater Elite on Friday, January 20, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay. 

Star sophomore Earl Scottie Thompson had an all-around game, finishing with 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Jervy Cruz added 16 points off the bench.

A total of 6 players scored in double-figures for Ginebra, which shot 42% from the floor but only 2-of-19 from deep. The Gin Kings, however, went to the charity stripe 36 times, making 27 free throws.

Roi Sumang led Blackwater off the bench with 20 points, while Mac Belo accounted for 16 points and 9 boards. The loss dropped the Elite’s record to 5-5.

After Sumang cut Ginebra’s lead to 95-90 with 32 seconds left following a jumper, LA Tenorio iced the game for his club by drawing a foul on Denok Miranda and making two charities.

Dave Marcelo then made a jumper with 13 seconds left to put the final nail in the coffin. 

Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar hyperextended his elbow in the first half and did not return in the final two quarters. He tallied 14 points and 5 boards in 14 and a half minutes. 

Scores:

Ginebra (99): Cruz 16, Tenorio 15, Aguilar 14, Thompson 13, Devance 13, Marcelo 13, Ellis 6, Mercado 5, Ferrer 2, Caguioa 2, Taha 0

Blackwater (90): Sumang 20, Belo 16, Aguilar 16, Sena 14, Dela Cruz 7, Gamalinda 6, Miranda 5, Buenafe 4, Pascual 2, Ababou 0, Pinto 0

Quarter scores: 25-23, 53-40, 80-71, 99-90 – Rappler.com