PBA: Ginebra rebounds from sorry loss with rout of Phoenix

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos shoots over Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Ato Ular during a PBA Governors’ Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

Barangay Ginebra atoned for an embarrassing 49-point loss to San Miguel Beer by venting its ire on Phoenix, 112-96, Wednesday and securing a quarterfinals berth in Group B of the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Rookie RJ Abarrientos produced 24 points, five rebounds and five assists while Japeth Aguilar was among those who set the tone for the rout with 17 of his 21 points in the first half as the Gin Kings got their sixth win in nine games and a spot in the last eight.

They got one game left in the group stage, which is against NLEX on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: PBA: Japeth Aguilar, Ginebra ‘pissed’ after 49-point beating

Ginebra pounced on Phoenix three days after being battered by San Miguel, 131-82, in a game that was initially billed as a marquee showdown between the league’s premier teams.

The defeat may play a crucial role on which position coach Tim Cone and his Gin Kings will eventually be entering the crossover quarterfinals, depending on the complexities on the tiebreakers and the fates of the Beermen and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

San Miguel and Rain or Shine are ahead of Ginebra with a 6-3 slate, going into their matchup Thursday.

READ: PBA: Ginebra to ‘reconstruct’ rotation with Isaac Go injured

Scottie Thompson was also big for Ginebra with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists even as Justin Brownlee added 13 points, five rebounds, nine assists and two steals.

Phoenix was eliminated from playoff contention after falling to 1-8. Unlike their first-round meeting, there was no sign that the Fuel Masters would come back from a deficit that went as big as 21.

Jason Perkins and Sean Manganti scored 18 points each, import Brandone Francis got 17 and rookie Kai Ballungay tallied 16 points, six rebounds and two steals.