BARANGAY Ginebra won't be left behind in the fight for the Top Four, salvaging the No. 4 spot and a coveted twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals on a 98-80 disposal of Rain or Shine at the close of the PBA Philippine Cup elims at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Sunday.
Stephen Holt, Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo all churned in double-double numbers as the Gin Kings took care of business versus the Elasto Painters and got their needed 8-3 finish to secure the quarters perks they will enjoy against fifth seed Converge.
The other quarters pairings pit No. 1 San Miguel Beer versus No. 8 Meralco, No. 2 NLEX opposite No. 7 Rain or Shine and No. 3 Magnolia against No. 6 TNT Tropang 5G.
The playoffs start right away Wednesday with the Road Warriors and the Hotshots taking their first crack at the semis versus the E-Painters and the Tropang 5G, respectively.
Actually, the Gin Kings caught up with the Beermen, the Road Warriors and the Hotshots at 8-3. SMB, NLEX and Magnolia finished ahead of Ginebra, though, upon the application of the quotient tiebreak.
Sponsored content:
For coach Tim Cone, the important thing was making the Magic Four and gaining a virtual 1-0 head start in the quarters.
Holt fired 27 points plus 12 rebounds, Aguilar scattered 18 markers on top of 10 boards while Malonzo had 15 plus 10 for the Gin Kings who paved the way for a smooth finish on a 15-0 run to start the fourth quarter.
RJ Abarrientos (with 11 points and four rebounds), Scottie Thompson (eight and nine) and Troy Rosario (eight and eight) were other core players who also provided a big push.
Jason David, who's just back in the Ginebra roster, was also a big help as he tossed in eight points with 2-of-4 three-pointers.
Holt pumped away six treys, including two in their fiery start in the fourth to pull away from a tight count.
Sponsored content:
With the importance of the game, the Kings pushed hard right at the start and posted early double-digit spreads but the E-Painters closed in, 43-45, at halftime and even grabbed the lead at the third.
But the Kings wouldn't fold up.(SB)
The scores:
Ginebra 98 - Holt 27, J Aguilar 18, Malonzo 15, Abarrientos 11, Thompson 8, Rosario 8, David 8, Adamos 2, Pessumal 1, Pinto 0, Cu 0, Ahanmisi 0, Gray 0, Mariano 0.
Rain or Shine 80 - Nocum 13, Santillan 13, Asistio 11, Malonzo 10, Mamuyac 9, Caracut 7, Clarito 6, Ildefonso 5, Datu 2, Norwood 2, Borboran 2, Escandor 0.
Quarterscores: 32-21, 45-43, 74-67, 98-80
