MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings survived repeated runs from Meralco Bolts to pull off a 99-91 triumph in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee regained his scoring form with 34 points, while Stanley Pringle chipped in conference-best 16 markers, including four triples.
With the victory, the Gin Kings moved up to 1-1 win-loss slate.
Earl Scottie Thompson had a near triple-double numbers of 15 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo and Christian Standhardinger ended with 10 points apiece.
After establishing a double-digit lead in the first half, the Kings were stunned by a huge third quarter uprising by the Bolts to take a 62-61 lead. But Thompson took over the scoring chores for Ginebra to establish a 73-65 edge.
Ginebra went on to build its largest lead at 79-67 on connections by Aguilar, LA Tenorio and Pringle.
Meralco made its last push at 78-82 but consecutive points by Brownlee in the endgame secured the win for the Kings.
Johnny O’Bryant had double-double 31 points and 16 rebounds, Allein Maliksi added 20 markers, while Aaron Black and Raymond Almazan contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively, as the Bolts dropped to 0-2.
In the first game, Gian Mamuyac got his offense going when it mattered the most. The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters thus cruised to a 106-94 victory over Terrafirma Dyip to move up to 2-1 slate. The Dyip dropped to 0-3.
After seeing their early double-digit lead cut to 64-68 late in the third quarter, Mamuyac drilled back-to-back three-pointers followed by a split free throw by Andrei Caracut for a 75-66 Painters lead.
Mamuyac continued his aggression in the fourth quarter after scoring on a layup and drilling nine free throws as the Rain or Shine cruised to its largest lead at 104-86 with under two minutes left.
Mamuyac finished with conference-high 17 points, all in the second half, Steve Taylor Jr. tallied double-double 20 points and 24 rebounds, while Caracut and Beau Belga had 12 markers each for the Painters.
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 99 – Brownlee 34, Pringle 16, Thompson 15, J. Aguilar 10, Standhardinger 10, Malonzo 10, Tenorio 4, Pessumal 0.
MERALCO 91 – O’Bryant 31, Maliksi 20, Black 14, Almazan 10, Pasaol 9, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Banchero 2, Hugnatan 0, Caram 0.
Quarterscores: 26-22, 49-41, 73-65, 99-91./PN
