MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel shook off an early slump and exploded with a dominant middle-quarter performance to trounce the Blackwater Bossing, 103-85, and boost its playoff push in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Rhon Jay Abarrientos energized the Gin Kings off the bench with 15 points, three rebounds, one assist, and a steal to earn Player of the Game honors as Ginebra improved to 4-4.
Stephen Holt and Jeremiah Gray tallied 12 points apiece, Jayson David added 11 points and eight rebounds, while Jeth Troy Rosario chipped in 10.
The Gin Kings overcame an early 3-11 hole by closing the opening quarter ahead, 23-22, before detonating for a 63-42 halftime lead behind David’s eight-point second period.
Blackwater cut the deficit to 64-80 in the third, but Ginebra restored control in the fourth and stretched the margin to as big as 27.
Rookie Dalph Panopio fired a career-high 22 points for the Bossing, while Sedrick Barefield and Abu Tratter added 17 and 12, respectively, as Blackwater slipped to 1-8 and exited quarterfinals contention.
In the opening game, the Meralco Bolts delivered a wire-to-wire 120-87 rout of the Terrafirma Dyip to likewise rise to 4-4.
Crispin John Cansino paced Meralco with 20 points, including two triples. Chris Banchero contributed 13 points, Chris Newsome had 12, while Kier John Quinto and Raymond Almazan posted 11 each.
Meralco controlled the match from the start, building a 24-16 cushion that ballooned to 59-42 at halftime. The Bolts stayed in command in the second half, extending the lead to 90-66 and later peaking at 36 points.
Negrense guard Mark Nonoy led Terrafirma with 22 points. Paolo Hernandez added 18 and Louie Sangalang chipped in 13 as the Dyip dropped to 1-8./PN
