MANILA — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings wasted no time asserting dominance, unleashing a fiery 18–0 opening run that set the tone for a commanding 92–77 victory over TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Japeth Aguilar powered the Gin Kings’ bounce-back win with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Rhon Jay Abarrientos provided a spark off the bench with 14 markers.
Jeth Troy Rosario added 13 points, as Earl Scottie Thompson, Norbert Torres, and Stephen Holt chipped in 10 apiece to help Ginebra even its record to 1–1.
The Kings’ suffocating first-quarter surge left TNT reeling, 36–16, and though the Tropang Giga trimmed the deficit to 45–30 at halftime, Ginebra’s composure never wavered.
Simon Enciso briefly ignited hope for TNT with a fourth-quarter rally that cut the gap to 11, but Ginebra answered with a late barrage to restore control, 90–70, sealing its first win of the conference.
Enciso finished with 17 points, while Kevin Ferrer added 11 for TNT, which dropped to 1–1.
Meanwhile, the Meralco Bolts (1–2) finally broke into the win column after turning back the Blackwater Bossing (1–1), 105–96.
Chris Newsome led Meralco with 22 points, while Clifford Hodge added 14. Allein Maliksi and Brandon Bates each had 13, and Raymond Almazan and Aaron Black contributed 12 and 11, respectively.
The Bolts broke away in the second quarter with a 61–39 halftime lead behind Newsome and Hodge. Although the Bossing staged a late comeback to close within 81–84, Meralco steadied in the final minutes as Newsome and Black delivered clutch baskets to preserve the win./PN
BOX SCORE
GINEBRA 92 – J. Aguilar 17, Abarrientos 14, Rosario 13, Thompson 10, Holt 10, Torres 10, Gray 8, Estil 5, David 3, Pinto 0, Cu 0.
TNT 77 – Enciso 17, Ferrer 11, Pogoy 9, Williams 8, Galinato 8, Khobuntin 7, Oftana 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Nambatac 3, Hill 2, Heading 1, Jalalon 0, Aurin 0.
Quarters: 33–16, 45–30, 68–48, 92–77
