MANILA, Philippines – Scottie Thompson turned into the Grinch and ruined Christmas for Magnolia, leading Barangay Ginebra to a 95-92 escape in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, December 25.
Thompson drained the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to preserve the efforts of import Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos as the Gin Kings got back on track for their fourth victory in six games.
Scoreless in the fourth quarter prior to his clutch shot, Thompson found himself wide open on the corner and sank the triple that allowed Ginebra to complete its fightback, much to the delight of over 12,000 fans in attendance.
The win, though, would not have been possible without Brownlee and Abarrientos, who took over in to help the Gin Kings come back from the dead after being down by as many as 22 points.
Brownlee finished with game-high 28 points to go 7 rebounds and 5 assists, while Abarrientos delivered 20 points, 5 assists, 3 steals in his first Christmas game as the two combined for 36 points in the last two salvos.
The duo almost matched the Hotshots’ 37 second-half points.
Abarrientos drained three straight triples to end the third frame as Ginebra sliced its deficit in half to 67-78 then fired 8 more points in the final quarter before setting up Thompson for the shot that sent over 12,000 fans to a frenzy.
Thompson tallied 14 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds in the Clasico.
Barangay Ginebra 95 – Brownlee 28, Abarrientos 20, Rosario 15, Thompson 14, J.Aguilar 8, Holt 5, M. Ahanmisi 5, Tenorio 0, Cu 0, Mariano 0.
Magnolia 92 – Ratliffe 17, Barroca 13, Lee 11, Sangalang 11, Lucero 8, Balanza 8, Dela Rosa 7, Dionisio 6, Lastimosa 6, Abueva 5, J. Ahanmisi 0.
Quarters: 24-30, 41-55, 67-78, 95-92.
– Rappler.com
