MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings nearly wasted its double-digit lead before holding off Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 90-85, in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Comfortably ahead at 79-58 after a free throw by rookie Jayson David, the Kings were stunned by a furious run by the Painters as they cut the deficit to 72-82 with over four minutes left.
Baskets by LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar increased Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s lead to 86-74 but five straight points by Rain or Shine’s Mike Nieto cut the deficit to 79-86.
The Painters pulled even closer at 82-87 after a three-pointer by Leonard Santillan but two free throws each by Tenorio and Aguilar sealed the victory for the Kings.
Aguilar finished the game with 23 points, while Earl Scottie Thompson added 16 markers, eight assists and six rebounds as the Kings stayed undefeated after two games.
Christian Standhardinger had double-double 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Arvin Tolentino and Tenorio contributed 11 and nine markers, respectively, for the Gin Kings.
Mike Nieto top-scored with 15 points, Beau Belga chipped in 14 markers, while Andrei Caracut and rookie Gian Mamuyac had 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Painters (1-2).
In the first game, Rome dela Rosa converted a basket when it mattered the most as Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots escaped with an 80-77 win over NorthPort Batang Pier.
Struggling with his shots the entire game, Dela Rosa drilled the go-ahead three-pointer with six seconds left in the game as he surged the Hotshots ahead for good at 80-77.
Dela Rosa finished the game with three points, converting only one of his eight shot attempts, to go with three rebounds and two assists as the Hotshots improved to 1-2.
Calvin Abueva spearheaded the offense with double-double 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Paul Lee and Aris Dionisio contributed 12 markers apiece for the Hotshots.
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 90 – J. Aguilar 23, Thompson 16, Standhardinger 13, Tolentino 11, Pringle 9, Tenorio 9, Caperal 4, Mariano 4, David 1, Chan 0, Pinto 0, Onwubere 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 85 – Nieto 15, Belga 14, Caracut 12, Mamuyac 10, Santillan 9, Torres 7, Ponferrada 7, Torres 4, Demusis 4, Asistio 3, Borboran 2, Ildefonso 2, Clarito 0.
Quarterscores: 31-16, 45-44, 74-58, 90-85./PN
