MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings leaned on a strong fourth quarter to stave off the Blackwater Elite, 103-99, in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga last night.
Prince Caperal came up with career-best 24 points, including four three-point conversions while Stanley Pringle added 17 markers, seven rebounds and five assists as the Kings rose to a 2-0 win-loss record.
Earl Scottie Thompson was close to a triple-double 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Negrense Jeffrei Chan and Japeth Aguilar added 12 and 11 markers respectively for Ginebra.
After leading by as much as 14 points in the opening half, the Kings were stunned by a strong third quarter showing by Blackwater as it took a 76-72 lead on five straight points from Ron Dennison before the Kings cut it to 75-76 on a buzzer-beating three by Caperal.
The Kings went on with its rally at the onset of the fourth quarter with conversions from Aljon Mariano, Thompson and Caperal for an 86-79 edge. The Elite rallied to within 83-86, but a triple from Caperal and back-to-back hits by Chan gave Ginebra a 96-86 lead.
The Elite, however, made their last push as they trim the deficit to as low as 99-102 on five straight points from Shej Roi Sumang, but a free throw by Jared Dillinger sealed the deal for Ginebra.
Celedonio Trollano tallied double-double 23 points and 10 rebounds while Rey Mark Belo and Sumang added 16 and 14 markers respectively as the Elite slumped to a 1-1 slate.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters survived numerous runs by the NorthPort Batang Pier before escaping with a 110-105 triumph for its second consecutive win in as many starts.
After seeing its 14 points second half lead turn into an 86-85 deficit, the Fuel Masters got timely conversions from Jason Perkins, Bacolodnon Justin Chua and Jansen Rios to pull away anew at 103-94.
The Batang Pier, however, made its last push as back-to-back triples from Kevin Ferrer pulled them to within 104-106 with 13 seconds left, but free throws by Perkins and RJ Jazul sealed the win for the Fuel Masters.
Perkins tallied double-double 31 points and 12 rebounds, Matthew Wright added 23 markers, including four triples while Chua had 17 for Phoenix. Christian Standhardinger finished with double-double 28 points and 11 rebounds for NorthPort (0-2).
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 103 – Caperal 24, Pringle 17, Thompson 14, Chan 12, Aguilar 11, Mariano 8, Dillinger 8, Tolentino 5, Devance 3, Tenorio 0.
BLACKWATER 99 – Trollano 23, Belo 16, Sumang 14, Daquioag 11, Tolomia 7, Desiderio 7, Golla 6, Canaleta 5, Magat 5, Dennison 5, Escoto 0, Salem 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 26-19; Q2, 49-37; Q3, 75-76; Q4, 103-99./PN
