MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat NLEX Road Warriors, 83-75, in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Down by as much as 19 points in the third quarter, the Kings went on a massive counter attack behind Japeth Aguilar and Earl Scottie Thompson to cut the deficit to 58-63.
The Road Warriors were still clinging to a 65-58 lead but the Kings got a three-point play from Nard John Pinto, back-to-back triples from Arvin Tolentino, and a layup by Pinto to take a 69-67 edge.
NLEX got the lead for the last time at 73-71 but a three-pointer by Tolentino, a three-point play by Aguilar and consecutive inside hits by Thompson gave Ginebra an eight-point edge.
Aguilar finished the match with 20 points, while Tolentino unloaded four triples to end up with 17 markers. The Gin Kings moved to solo second place with 3-1 win-loss slate.
Thompson contributed 15 points to go with eight rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger and LA Tenorio ended up with 10 markers apiece for the Gin Kings.
Kevin Alas top-scored for the 2-2 Road Warriors with 16 points, including four outside shots, while Calvin Oftana and Celedonio Trollano added 15 and 12 points, respectively.
In the first game, Maverick Ahanmisi waxed hot in the fourth quarter as Converge FiberXers (2-3) returned to their winning ways with a 97-84 rout of Terrafirma Dyip (0-4).
Down 67-69 at the onset of the fourth period, Ahanmisi connected two outside hits followed by a triple by Michael Digregorio as Converge surged to a 78-72 lead.
With the Dyip threatening at 77-78, Ahanmisi unloaded two more trifectas to surge the FiberXers ahead at 88-81. The lead grew to its largest at 97-84 on two free throws by Ahanmisi and five straight points by Digregorio.
Ahanmisi tallied 17 points, with 14 coming in the final quarter, Digregorio led the Converge’s offense with 19 points, while David Murrell added career-high 15 markers.
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 83 – J. Aguilar 20, Tolentino 17, Thompson 15, Standhardinger 10, Tenorio 10, Pinto 5, Caperal 2, Chan 2, Mariano 2, David 0.
NLEX 75 – Alas 16, Oftana 15, Trollano 12, Chua 8, Rosales 8, Paniamogan 5, Soyud 4, Fonacier 3, Magat 2, Quinahan 2, Ighalo 0, Semerad 0, Miranda 0.
Quarterscores: 17-28, 32-45, 58-63, 83-75./PN
