Barangay Ginebra big man Christian Standhardinger.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra kept its record unblemished after two games in the PBA Philippine Cup with a 102-92 win at the expense of Phoenix at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
Holding just a slim 47-43 lead at the intermission, the Gin Kings were reminded by coach Tim Cone to start defending the paint more to keep the Fuel Masters at bay.
“We talked during timeouts that we were giving Phoenix less penetration at the start of the third quarter and that was key in our ability to make stops, get out and run a little bit more,” said Cone. “That keyed our ability to get out on the open floor and get our guys some more shots.”
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The Gin Kings flipped the switch in the third frame when they went on a 13-7 run to start the second half, courtesy of triples from Raph Cu, John Pinto and Jamie Malonzo to take a 60-50 lead at the 7:47 mark of the third.
The Gin Kings, who were missing their chief playmaker Scottie Thompson, then never looked back.
To make matters even worse for Phoenix, which is still winless after two games, they were unable to hold down the Gin Kings, who scored 32 third quarter points.
The Fuel Masters only had 19 in the penultimate period.
Stanley Pringle, who finished with 13 points, rubbed more salt in Phoenix’s wound with a triple to end the quarter with Ginebra up, 79-62.
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It was the same story in the final period with Ginebra taking an 85-64 advantage after Pringle and the high-flying Japeth Aguilar connected on an off-the-board alley oop that seemingly took the fight out of the Fuel Masters.
Malonzo registered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds while the troika of Pinto, Cu and Christian Standhardinger all scored 12 in the victory.
Jason Perkins, who dropped 28 points on Friday’s loss over NorthPort, was limited to just 14 points in the defeat. Javee Mocon was a rebound shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.