Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Barangay Ginebra made a couple of crucial stops to escape Phoenix, 100-97, in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Clinging on to a 98-97 edge with under a minute left, the Gin Kings sealed their fourth win in seven games on the defensive end.
Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar came up big defensively with Thompson getting a steal off a poor pass by Matthew Wright before Japeth Aguilar blocked Calvin Abueva’s potential go-ahead basket.
Floor general LA Tenorio anchored Ginebra’s offense with a game-high 23 points on top of eight rebounds and five assists while Aljon Mariano also gave the Kings a huge boost with 20 points and nine rebounds. Greg Slaughter added a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Jervy Cruz only had four points but his two free throws put Ginebra on top, 98-97, with 53 ticks left.
Eight Fuel Masters scored at least nine points led by Abueva, who scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
League-leading Phoenix took just its second loss in 10 outings.