Abarrientos, Aguilar take charge as Ginebra downs Phoenix for back-to-back wins

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Barangay Ginebra banks on its hot shooting for its first consecutive wins in the PBA Philippine Cup, building a sizable lead before its 'sloppy' finish against Phoenix

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra strung consecutive victories for the first time in the PBA Philippine Cup following a 119-112 triumph over Phoenix at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, May 16.

RJ Abarrientos and Japeth Aguilar showed the way as the Gin Kings controlled the middle quarters to improve to 4-2 after alternating wins and losses in their first five games.

Abarrientos chalked up a team-high 25 points with 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Aguilar supplied 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in the victory that saw Ginebra enjoy a lead as big as 22 points, 108-86.

The score, however, did not reflect the Gin Kings’ dominance as the Fuel Masters outscore Ginebra, 26-11, in the final 4:45 minutes. 

“I thought we played an absolutely fantastic game against them until the last couple of minutes with the second group,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.

“That got a little sloppy. But aside from that, I thought we played a really good game on both sides of the floor.”

Ginebra shot a scintillating 59% from the field, including 57% from three-point land, thanks it large part to its ball distribution, with 33 of its 40 field goals being assisted.

Scottie Thompson accounted for one-third of those assists as he finished with a game-high 13 dimes to go with 17 points, while Stephen Holt and Jamie Malonzo contributed 18 and 15 points, respectively.

Abarrientos and Holt combined for 18 of the Gin Kings’ 35 points in the second quarter as they mounted a 59-50 halftime lead after trailing 24-27 at the end of the opening frame.

That lead doubled at 92-72 through three quarters.

Jason Perkins fired a game-high 28 points on top of 5 rebounds and 5 assists, although his efforts went for naught in another loss that dropped Phoenix to 2-5.

Four more players scored in double figures for Phoenix: RJ Jazul (18), Kenneth Tuffin (17), Tyler Tio (15), and Kai Ballungay (12).

The Scores

Barangay Ginebra 119 – Abarrientos 25, J. Aguilar 24, Holt 18, Thompson 17, Malonzo 15, Rosario 8, Pessumal 6, Cu 3, Adamos 2, R. Aguilar 1, David 0, Pinto 0, Mariano 0.

Phoenix 112– Perkins 28, Jazul 18, Tuffin 17, Tio 15, Ballungay 12, Garcia 6, Verano 6, Alejandro 3, Manganti 3, Ular 2, Soyud 2, Rivero 0, Cullar 0, Camacho 0.

Quarters: 24-27, 59-50, 92, 72, 119-112.

– Rappler.com