MANILA – Earl Scottie Thompson knocked down a game-winning triple as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings pulled off a 95-92 victory over the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Christmas Day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the score tied at 92-all after a conversion by Hotshots’ Rome dela Rosa with 22 seconds left, the Gin Kings milked down the clock before sending the ball to Thompson for the corner three-pointer at the buzzer.
Thompson finished the game with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds, one steal, and a block as the Gin Kings clawed back from 22 points down to secure their fourth win in six games.
Justin Brownlee spearheaded the offense with 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, Rhon Jay Abarrientos added 20 markers, while Jeth Troy Rosario contributed 15 points for the Gin Kings.
Down 54-76 late in the third quarter, Abarrientos sparked Gin Kings’ fightback with three three-point conversions before Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar took turns on the offensive end to cut the deficit to 83-84 midway through the fourth quarter.
Brownlee then took over by knocking down three clutch three-pointers to give the Gin Kings a 92-90 upperhand with over a minute left in the game, before the Hotshots tied the score for the last time at 92-all.
“I was so disappointed because we have a nice crowd that came in to watch the game and we played poorly early, and I just think the guys kinda gathered themselves and got a little more determined in the second half,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
Ricardo Ratliffe tallied a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds, Andy Mark Barroca added 13 markers, while Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang ended with 11 each as the Hotshots dropped to a 2-5 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, Converge FiberXers continued their hot streak as they took down Meralco Bolts, 110-94, to improve to a 6-2 win-loss slate. The Bolts slumped to a 2-4 win-loss card.
Jordan Heading spearheaded the offense with 30 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with eight assists and six rebounds as the FiberXers notched their fourth consecutive win./PN
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 95 – Brownlee 28, Abarrientos 20, Rosario 15, Thompson 14, J. Aguilar 8, Holt 5, Ahanmisi 5, Tenorio 0, Cu 0, Mariano 0.
MAGNOLIA 92 – Ratliffe 17, Barroca 13, Lee 11, Sangalang 11, Lucero 8, Balanza 8, Dela Rosa 7, Dionisio 6, Lastimosa 6, Abueva 5, J. Ahanmisi 0.
Quarterscores: 24-30, 41-55, 67-78, 95-92.
