Ginebra topples TNT to take solo top spot

Ginebra guard Stanley Pringle. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra gained solo hold of the top seed after turning back TNT, 85-79, in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday at Angeles University Foundation.

The Gin Kings spent much of the conference at either the second or third seeds but, upon extending their winning streak to three, finally reached the top of the ladder with a 7-2 record.

Taking advantage of the condensed schedule, the Gin Kings had also luck on their side as they employed suffocating defense on a tired TNT team, which was on the second game of a back-to-back.

Ginebra held the Tropang Giga to a dry 5-of-41 shooting from deep or a 12.2 percent clip, a far cry from TNT’s 13.3 average makes and 31.4 conversion rate prior to the game.

With such a slim lead at their hands, the Gin Kings turned to closer Stanley Pringle who promptly scored 10 of their 21 points in the fourth including six in the final three minutes. His last basket gave Ginebra an 83-76 buffer with 49 seconds to play.

“He’s our closer,” said Ginebra head coach of Pringle. “Like Kobe Bryant was the closer for the Los Angeles Lakers, Michael [Jordan] for the Chicago Bulls, Jimmy Butler for the Heat, Stanley is the guy for our team.”

“Everyone knows it’s coming but it’s hard to stop.”

Pringle finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and two steals to lead the Gin Kings while Japeth Aguilar had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

LA Tenorio also scored double figures for Ginebra with 15 points to go along five boards and nine assists.

Jayson Castro led TNT, which dropped to 6-3, with 19 points and five boards with Poy Erram putting up 17 points and 10 rebounds.