MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings finally scored its first win in the 2023 PBA on Tour following a 95-89 beating of Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Nard John Pinto led the way with 22 points, including two three-pointers, to go with seven assists, four rebounds and two steals as the Gin Kings notched its first win after a 0-2 start.
Aljon Mariano chipped in double-double 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jayson David and Raymond Aguilar contributed 15 points each for the Gin Kings, which were badly shorthanded in the ongoing pre-season tournament.
From a 47-all score at the half, the Gin Kings went to work in the third quarter behind three-point conversions by Mariano and Pinto for an 82-72 edge after back-to-back hits by Aguilar early in the fourth quarter.
The Fuel Masters kept the match close at 84-89 with three minutes left but inside conversions from David and Mariano and a perimeter jumper by Aguilar widened the Gin Kings’ lead to 95-86.
RJ Jazul finished with 18 points, including six three-pointers, Reden Celda added 17 markers, while Javee Mocon, Larry Muyang and Chris Lalata had 14, 13 and 11, respectively, as the Fuel Masters dropped to 2-3.
Meanwhile, Blackwater Bossing leaned on the hot hands of Rashawn McCarthy to score a 102-97 victory over shorthanded Converge FiberXers. The Bossing improved to 3-2, while the FiberXers dropped to 1-3.
McCarthy caught fire in the third quarter as he converted from inside and outside as the Bossing snatched a 74-72 lead before widening it to 89-80 with baskets from Rey Suerte and McCarthy.
The FiberXers, however, made its last push as they trimmed the deficit to 86-91 with over three minutes left in the game but baskets by James Sena, McCarthy and Baser Amer gave the Bossing a 98-87 edge.
McCarthy finished the game with 30 points, including five three-point conversions, while Suerte and Amer contributed 12 markers apiece for the Bossing. Justin Arana top-scored for the FiberXers with double-double 32 points and 17 rebounds.
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 95 – Pinto 22, Mariano 18, David 15, R. Aguilar 15, Gumaru 6, Onwubere 6, Aurin 6, Pessumal 4, Gray 3, Cu 0, Salcedo 0.
PHOENIX 89 – Jazul 18, Celda 17, Mocon 14, Muyang 13, Lalata 11, Soyud 8, Atienza 3, Fetalvero 3, Alejandro 2, Rangel 0.
Quarterscores: 26-26, 47-47, 78-68, 95-89./PN
