By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings clawed back from 17 points down to defeat the Blackwater Bossing, 90-87, in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, November 26.
Down 19-36 after the first quarter, the Gin Kings slowly clawed their way back behind Tony Bishop Jr., Maverick Ahanmisi and Stanley Pringle to take a 71-69 lead after the three quarters.
The Gin Kings started the fourth quarter strong as they surged to a 77-71 lead, but the Bossing had a quick response to force a deadlock at 84-all on inside conversions by Chris Ortiz.
Two inside hits by Christian Standhardinger and two free throws by Ortiz gave the Gin Kings a 90-87 lead.
The Bossing had a chance to tie the game, but Ortiz’s triple try was blocked by Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar.
Bishop finished with a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds. Ahanmisi added 20 markers, while Standhardinger and Pringle had 16 and 10, respectively, as the Gin Kings improved to 3-1.
Ortiz tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds. RK Ilagan and Jeth Troy Rosario chipped in 15 markers apiece, while Tyrus Hill ended with 11 points.
Meanwhile, the Meralco Bolts snapped their two-game losing skid with a 109-95 domination against sister team TNT Tropang Giga.
Both squads now have an identical 2-2 win-loss slate.
The Bolts went to work early as they jumped to a 29-21 advantage after the opening quarter.
The lead grew further in the second quarter as they established a 52-42 halftime lead.
Meralco maintained an 80-70 lead after the third quarter. TNT made a huge run to cut the deficit to 89-91, but connections by Chris Newsome and Suleiman Braimoh, Jr. sealed the win for the Bolts.
Braimoh led the way with 37 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Banchero and Kier John Quinto added 18 and 13 markers, while Newsome and Clifford Hodge ended with 12 points each for the Bolts.
GINEBRA 90 — Bishop 25, Ahanmisi 20, Standhardinger 16, Pringle 10, J. Aguilar 8, Thompson 7, Pinto 4, Cu 0.
BLACKWATER 87 — Ortiz 20, Ilagan 15, Rosario 15, Hill 11, Suerte 8, DiGregorio 8, Guinto 8, David 2, Casio 0, Escoto 0, Ayonayon 0, Banal 0.
Quarterscores: 19-36, 41-50, 71-69, 90-87./ASC, WDJ