Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 25) – Defending champions Barangay Ginebra grabbed the last quarterfinals ticket and eliminated the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 95-85, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup tiebreaker match on Saturday at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
With the victory, Ginebra is now in line to face top seed TNT Tropang Giga, which holds a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Prince Caperal lived up to be the substitute big man in lieu of the injured Japeth Aguilar with a game-high 19 points while frontline partner Christian Standhardinger notched double-double figures of 15 markers and 12 boards to save their conference.
“If there’s a player down, we always have our ‘next man up’ mentality. Ever since, that’s my mantra that I will step up in this kind of situation,” Caperal said.
The two squads exchanged leads in the first half, but Ginebra pulled away late in the second quarter for a 49-38 halftime advantage.
Ginebra stretched its lead further in the third quarter to as high as 14 points as Stanley Pringle, who finished with 17 points, commanded their offensive spark.
The defending Philippine Cup champions posted their biggest lead of 17 points in the final quarter as they finished the season of Phoenix.
Ginebra also shot 50% (37/74) from the field, compared to Phoenix’s lowly 33% (32/96).
“We just need to get back in keeping things simple. We didn’t expect to be in this kind of game, but you have a choice – you either keep going or you back off. Our guys decided to keep going,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, while praising his wards for defending Phoenix star players.
Jason Perkins led Phoenix with 15 points and eight rebounds while Chris Banchero and Matthew Wright each chipped in 14 points in their final game.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 95 – Caperal 19, Pringle 17, Standhardinger 15, Dillinger 13, Tenorio 9, Mariano 8, Devance 6, Ayaay 4, Chan 2
PHOENIX 85 – Perkins 15, Banchero 14, Wright 14, Jazul 12, Pascual 11, Demusis 9, Muyang 5, Rios 3, Garcia 2, Calisaan 0
Quarterscores: 22-20, 49-38, 79-66, 95-85
