MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings continued its rise in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 134-107 victory over Columbian Dyip on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee led Kings (4-5) with double-double 24 points and 10 rebounds. Japeth Aguilar added 19 markers while Kevin Ferrer and LA Tenorio contributed 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Earl Scottie Thompson notched another triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while Jeff Chan was silent in his Kings’ debut with just 4 points, three rebounds and two assists.
In the earlier match, Phoenix Fuel Masters seemed unaffected with the departure of Chan as it scored a lopsided 135-108 win over GlobalPort Batang Pier to keep its playoffs hopes alive.
Holding to a slim 30-29 lead, Kings started strong in the second period behind Ferrer and Brownlee for a 47-37 lead. Dyip rallied to get close 47-50 but Kings pulled away anew on inside hits by Gregory Slaughter and Aguilar for a 62-49 halftime edge.
Kings continued its run in the third as it built a 79-61 lead on baskets by Slaughter. Dyip closed in at 14 but Kings broke the gap wide open to build its largest lead 119-89 on a dunk by Brownlee.
John Fields III finished with double-double 30 points and 15 rebounds while Rashawn McCarthy added 17 markers and Ilonggo Ronald Tubid contributed 15 points for Dyip (4-6).
In the first game, Eugene Phelps registered a triple double of 37 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists while Matthew Wright chipped in 24 markers for Fuel Masters to snap a four-game skid and improve to 4-6.
Things could get better for Fuel Masters should it prevail over Alaska Aces in the penultimate day of the 11-game eliminations on July 6. A loss would dampen its campaign.
“It’s good, we’re still breathing. Hindi pa kami magbabakasyon,” said Fuel Masters coach Francisco Alas. “Hopefully this victory will be a start of something big for us ahead.”
Malcolm White had 24 points while Sean Anthony added 15 points for Batang Pier (4-5), which is on a must-win situation in its last two assignments, against Dyip and Kings, to stay alive./PN
