Barangay Ginebra shrugged off a fourth-quarter scare from NLEX to pull off a 102-92 win on the first day of the PBA Philippine Cup restart at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Sunday, October 11.

Aljon Mariano led 7 players in double figures with 20 points as the Gin Kings pulled away late to kick off their quest for the elusive All-Filipino crown on the right foot.

NLEX narrowed the gap to a single possession early in the last frame, 82-85, but Ginebra answered with a decisive 10-0 blitz behind 7 points from Mariano for a 13-point lead with 5 minutes left.

Scottie Thompson then dashed any hopes of a Road Warriors comeback with a booming three-pointer at the 1:58 minute mark that padded the Gin Kings’ lead to 100-98.

Undoubtedly the most popular team in the PBA, Ginebra played in uncharted territory without their legions of fans cheering in the stands.

But with or without a crowd, the Gin Kings showed they are all business as they try to follow up their Governors’ Cup championship last season with the elusive Philippine Cup title.

“We had to tell our bench to stay engaged,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “We’re our own little crowd. Millions of fans are watching us and we have a responsibility to them.”

Thompson finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, Stanley Pringle had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Jared Dillinger added 11 points in the win.

Jeff Chan, Joe Devance, and Prince Caperal chipped in 11 points apiece for the Gin Kings.

The game saw Ginebra veteran LA Tenorio extend his record of most consecutive games played to 642 despite scares of him missing their conference-opener due to his recent appendectomy.

Tenorio played 12 minutes but struggled on the floor as he finished with just 1 point and committed 2 turnovers.

JR Quinahan led NLEX with 26 points before getting tossed out in the second half, while Kevin Alas had 16 points.

The Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 102 – Mariano 20, Pringle 12, Thompson 12, Caperal 11, Chan 11, Devance 11, Aguilar 7, Tolentino 5, Tenorio 1, R. Aguilar 0, Balanza 0.

NLEX 92 – Quinahan 26, Alas 16, Cruz 11, Porter 9, Soyud 7, Ravena 6, Semerad 5, Miranda 4, Ighalo 3, Galanza 3, Ayonayon 2, Paniamogan 0.

Quarters: 31-22, 48-48, 83-75, 102-92.

– Rappler.com