MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 94-87, in the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Philippine Cup last night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Down 80-69 in the fourth period, the Kings embarked on a 14-1 scoring run behind Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, and Aljon Mariano to take an 83-81 lead with over five minutes left. The score was knotted at 87-all before Pringle surged Ginebra ahead at 89-87.
Following missed Fuel Masters’ shots, the Kings increased their lead to 92-87 with less than a minute remaining on a three-pointer by LA Tenorio. Pringle then sealed the win with another two-pointer.
Pringle finished with a conference-high 31 points, Tenorio scored 23 points, and Standhardinger added 21 points and 12 rebounds as the reigning champion Kings snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to a 4-5 win-loss slate.
On the other hand, Jason Perkins led the Fuel Masters with 30 points and eight rebounds, while Matthew Wright and RJ Jazul chipped in 18 and 15 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters dropped to 4-6.
In the first game, TNT Tropang Giga secured a twice-to-beat incentive heading into the quarterfinals after a 102-92 triumph over NorthPort Batang Pier. The Tropang Giga retained its number one ranking with a 9-1 record, while the Batang Pier fell to 4-4.
Maintaining a slender 42-41 halftime lead, the Tropang Giga went on a rampage in the third quarter, extending their lead to 71-59 on Mikey Williams’ outside conversions and inside hits by Bacolodnon’s Kib Montalbo.
The Batang Pier attempted to cut the gap numerous times in the second half, the closest being seven points, but outside shots by Williams and Montalbo stretched Tropang Giga’s lead to 15.
Williams ended with 29 points, while Montalbo carved out 22 markers for the Tropang Giga. Ilonggo Juan Paolo Taha led the Batang Pier’s offense with a conference-best 20 points.
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 94 – Pringle 31, Tenorio 23, Standhardinger 21, Thompson 12, Mariano 3, Tolentino 2, Dillinger 2, Devance 0, Caperal 0.
PHOENIX 87 – Perkins 30, Wright 18, Jazul 15, Chua 12, Calisaan 3, Melecio 3, Banchero 2, Pascual 2, Demusis 2, Garcia 0, Manuel 0, Muyang 0, Tamsi 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
16-33, 46-52, 69-76, 94-87./PN
