MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra warded off multiple San Miguel rallies and opened the new year in style, claiming a 93-81 win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, January 5.
Troy Rosario played arguably his finest game in a Gin Kings uniform with 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Gin Kings, coming off a sensational Christmas comeback victory over rival Magnolia, won back-to-back games.
Acquired through free agency before the conference, Rosario appeared to be finding his place within the Ginebra offense after shooting the lights out from long distance and making 4 of his 8 three-point attempts.
Rosario knocked down back-to-back triples in the fourth quarter that gave Ginebra a 72-59 lead before the Beermen threatened a comeback.
San Miguel got within 79-88 with under two minutes left, but resident import Justin Brownlee brought the Gin Kings home by scoring all of their last 5 points.
“Troy kind of represented our performance tonight. I thought we just really played hard,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
Brownlee finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks despite feeling under the weather, Stephen Holt tossed in 15 points, and Japeth Aguilar put up 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Scottie Thompson also shone with a near-triple-double performance of 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists as the Gin Kings improved to 5-2.
June Mar Fajardo netted 12 points, 23 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in the loss that marked the third straight for the Beermen.
That skid includes back-to-back defeats in the PBA and one in the East Asia Super League, with the Beermen falling to 3-4 for the conference.
Import Jabari Narcis paced San Miguel in scoring with 17 points to go with 10 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Barangay Ginebra 93 – Rosario 22, Brownlee 19, Holt 15, J.Aguilar 11, Thompson 8, Abarrientos 8, Ahanmisi 7, Cu 3, Adamos 0.
San Miguel 81 – Narcis 17, Perez 14, Tiongson 12, Fajardo 12, Cruz 9, Lassiter 6, Cahilig 6, Ross 3, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 0, Enciso 0.
Quarters: 16-16, 47-31, 66-50, 93-81.
– Rappler.com
