Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 23) – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel took an uneasy route to notch its first win in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup by surviving Blackwater Bossing, 96-81, Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Six players of the defending All-Filipino Cup champions scored in double digits led by Stanley Pringle’s 19 points and LA Tenorio’s 17.
“It was pretty rough, we’re trying to get back on how we’re playing. We’re really focusing on our defense, trying to step up,” Pringle said.
It was also a special game for big man Japeth Aguilar, who joined the league’s club of players with 5,000 career points. The Pampanga native, who finished with 14 markers, made the feat with a jumper at the 5:45 mark of the first quarter.
New recruit Christian Standhardinger had 11 points and 19 rebounds while Prince Caperal added 16 markers and 11 boards off the bench.
Ginebra dominated all ends of the floor in the first half, further widening their lead to 16 points in the second quarter.
But in the second half, Blackwater spearheaded a 13-4 run to bring down Ginebra’s lead to just two, 69-67, at the end of the third quarter. The scoring run was led by guards Simon Enciso and Paul Desiderio.
Blackwater kept the score close midway in the fourth quarter, trailing 77-79, but Ginebra went on a 17-4 run down the stretch to clinch the victory.
The Gin Kings outrebounded Blackwater, 60-34, and bested them in assists, 25-13. They also shot 47% from the field.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone praised his players for being more focused, compared to their shock 94-75 opening game loss against NLEX last July 18.
“We’re still working to be more coherent, more together on our play right now. We’re no stranger to slow starts and we think we’ll pick it up and get better every game,” Cone said.
Mike Tolomia led Blackwater off the bench with 22 points while Enciso added 16, as the Nash Racela-mentored squad suffered its third straight defeat for a 0-3 slate.
The Scores :
GINEBRA 96 – Pringle 19, Tenorio 17, Caperal 16, J.Aguilar 14, Thompson 11, Standhardinger 11, Chan 5, Dillinger 2, Devance 1, Ayaay 0, Enriquez 0, Holmqvist 0
BLACKWATER 81 – Tolomia 22, Enciso 16, Nabong 10, Magat 8, Daquioag 6, Desiderio 6, Amer 5, Paras 4, Semerad 2, Canaleta 2, Gabriel 0, Dennison 0, Escoto 0, Acuno 0
Quarterscores: 21-13, 45-32, 69-67, 96-81
