MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings vented their frustration on lowly TerraFirma Dyip via a 102-80 beating in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga last night.
Japeth Aguilar converted all his 10 field goals to finish with 21 points while Aljon Mariano tallied double-double 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Kings clinched the top-seed heading into the playoffs with an 8-3 win-loss slate.
Stanley Pringle contributed 14 markers while Earl Scottie Thompson fell short anew of completing a near triple-double for Barangay Ginebra with 13 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
Trailing 28-30 early in the second period, the Kings leaned on conversions by Thompson, Prince Caperal and Negrense Jeffrei Chan for their largest lead of 61-37 at half.
TerraFirma, however, showed some fight in the third period as they rallied to as close as 67-75 via baskets from Reden Celda, but Ginebra responded with hits from Pringle and Aguilar to make it an 80-67 count.
The Dyip made their last push at 73-82 early in the fourth frame before the Kings went for the kill with conversions from Arthur Dela Cruz, Thompson and Mariano to increase the lead to 22.
Jaymar Perez and Juan Miguel Tiongson ended up with 16 points apiece while Aldrech Ramos contributed 15 markers as the Dyip still at last place in the standings with a 1-9 slate.
In PBA’s second game, Alaska Aces formalized their entry into the quarterfinals round following a 122-119 overtime escape over NLEX Road Warriors. The Aces ended their elimination campaign with a 7-4 record while the Road Warriors fell to 4-6.
Both teams traded baskets early in the extension period with the score tied at 113-all before the Aces went on a 5-0 blast via a layup by Rodney Brondial and a triple by Michael Digregorio.
The Road Warriors managed to come as close as 117-120 following a basket from Kiefer Ravena, but split free throws from Jvee Casio and Abu Tratter allowed the Aces to escape with the win.
Maverick Ahanmisi finished with double-double 25 points and 12 rebounds while Casio added 19 markers for the Aces. Ilonggo Ravena poured 30 markers to lead the Road Warriors.
In the other match, Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters clawed their way back from 16 points down to beat Blackwater Elite, 100-95. The Fuel Masters moved to a tie of second place with a 7-3 record, while the Elite dropped to 2-8.
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 102 – J. Aguilar 21, Mariano 17, Pringle 14, Thompson 13, Chan 9, Caperal 9, Tenorio 8, Dillinger 5, Dela Cruz 4, Tolentino 2, Balanza 0.
TERRAFIRMA 80 – Perez 16, Tiongson 16, Ramos 15, Camson 8, Celda 8, Cahilig 6, Khobuntin 5, Calvo 4, Faundo 2, Batiller 0, Balagasay 0, Gabayni 0, Agovida 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 26-23; Q2, 61-37; Q3, 77-67, Q4, 102-80./PN
