SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel lived up to the spirit of the “Never Say Die” retro jerseys they were wearing from 1991 when they hung tough against the determined Meralco Bolts, 90-89, on Sunday, May 28 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Gin Kings escaped by the skin of their teeth to reach an 8-2 record and tie rivals Star Hotshots for first place in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Both teams have one game left each.
Joe Devance and Japeth Aguilar both scored and assisted each other’s baskets in a 4-0 swing that turned an 84-86 deficit into an 88-86 edge with 41 seconds left to play.
LA Tenorio, who posted a game-high 22 points on 4-of-9 3-point shooting on top of 3 rebounds and 3 assists, stretched that run to 6-0 with two clutch free throws for a 90-86 cushion 30 seconds before the final buzzer.
Cliff Hodge, who again sacrificed his body in the name of hustle and grabbing those 50-50 balls, then buried a 3-pointer to make it just a one-point game with still 7 seconds remaining.
His difficult shot went for naught after Meralco failed to capitalize on the ensuing two missed free throws by Justin Brownlee, as Chris Newsome’s long outlet pass missed Hodge’s hands and went straight out of bounds.
Brownlee also had 22 points with 9 rebounds, while Sol Mercado had 14 markers. Aguilar finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and two steals as Devance chipped in 6 points, 6 boards, and 6 dimes.
The Gin Kings sported the 1991 jerseys of the Robert Jaworski-led squad that immortalized itself in PBA history by becoming the first team to come back from a 3-1 best-of-7 series deficit in the First Conference of that year.
They defeated Formula Shell for the title in a close encounter similar to this Meralco game, when Rudy Distrito hit a fadeaway game-winner for the 104-102 victory.
Unlike its last couple of games, Ginebra stuck with Meralco from start to finish, engaging in a back-and-forth affair late in the contest after going off for a 12-2 start. Meralco responded to that early surge with a 17-2 counter-attack.
The Gin Kings managed despite missing veteran franchise star Mark Caguioa, who injured his nape early in the game and was reportedly taken to the hospital as a precaution.
The Bolts put up a lot of fight in the end but it was not enough to arrest their now 3-game skid to end the conference at 7-4. Meralco once topped the standings before the slump.
Baser Amer topscored for Meralco with 21 markers, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and two steals.
Alex Stepheson had 18 points, 20 boards, and 5 blocks but he also tallied 7 turnovers.
Jared Dillinger put up 15 points while Newsome and Hodge each had 13 points. Newsome tracked down 6 rebounds while Hodge collared 9 boards.
Scores:
Ginebra (90): Tenorio 22, Brownlee 22, Mercado 14, Aguilar 11, Thompson 9, Devance 6, Ferrer 2, Mariano 2, Ellis 2, Caguioa 0, Marcelo 0, Taha 0.
Meralco (89): Amer 21, Stepheson 18, Dillinger 15, Newsome 13, Hodge 13, Nabong 4, Daquioag 3, Chua 2, Yeo 0, Uyloan 0, Hugnatan 0.
Quarter scores: 22-24, 42-48, 74-69, 90-89.
– Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.