PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra surged when it mattered most and stopped NLEX in its tracks, 102-92, to open its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga.
With the scores tied at 48 heading into the break, the Gin Kings pulled away after outscoring NLEX, 25-11, in the first eight minutes of the third to take a 73-59 lead courtesy of Jeff Chan’s layup.
“At halftime, I told the team we played better than I thought we would but not as well as we hoped we would,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “We had guys who stepped up, LA (Tenorio) was struggling but you got to give him tremendous courage two weeks after surgery. He was really intent on playing but we watch him with an eagle eye.”
“We’re all feeling our way through it, the teams are different, the guys had their game routines but before they had it with their families at their house but now it’s with his roommate.”
The Road Warriors got to as close as within three points, 85-82, after Anthony Semerad’s triple capped off a 7-0 run with less than three minutes into the fourth.
Ginebra, however, responded with a 10-0 blitz with Aljon Mariano’s layup putting the Gin Kings up 95-82 that ultimately left NLEX behind.
Mariano had a team-high 20 points with five rebounds and four assists to lead Ginebra while Scottie Thompson finished with a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double.
JR Quiñahan led NLEX with 26 points while Kevin Alas filled up the stat sheets with 16 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals.