By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings broke away in the second half to topple the Converge FiberXers, 105-93, in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday night, April 27.
Christian Standhardinger had a near triple-double of 33 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, while Maverick Ahanmisi added 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Gin Kings stayed in second place with a 7-3 win-loss slate.
Raphael Cu and Japeth Aguilar added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Earl Scottie Thompson had 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Nard John Pinto ended with 10 for the Gin Kings, which are on a four-game winning streak.
From a 48-all score at the half, the Gin Kings went on a three-point barrage in the third quarter behind Ahanmisi, Cu and Thompson, and inside hits from Standhardinger for an 83-69 lead.
The Gin Kings continued to pull away in the fourth quarter with connections from Pinto and Standhardinger, as the lead reached its largest at 21 points at 96-75 before the FiberXers cut the deficit to as low as 12 points on the free throw line.
Alec Stockton finished with 32 points, six rebounds and six assists, Justin Arana added 18 markers, and Aljun Melecio contributed 10 points as the FiberXers dropped to a 1-9 record.
Meanwhile, at the Caloocan Sports Complex, Arvin Tolentino connected with a go-ahead basket as the NorthPort Batang Pier pulled off a 115-113 victory over the Blackwater Bossing for a 5-6 win-loss slate.
The Bossing dropped to 3-6.
After leading by as much as 19 points early in the third quarter, the Batang Pier suddenly found themselves trailing at 107-113, but back-to-back baskets and two free throws by Tolentino tied the score at 113-all.
The Bossing then committed a turnover, which led to the go-ahead fallaway basket by Tolentino over the defense of Christian David. Blackwater still had a chance to snatch the win, but Rey Nambatac missed his triple try.
Tolentino had near triple-double numbers of 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Batang Pier, Joshua Munzon added 16 markers and rookie Damie Cuntapay finished with a career-high of 15 points./ASC, WDJ
GINEBRA 105 — Standhardinger 33, Ahanmisi 17, Cu 13, J. Aguilar 12, Pinto 10, Thompson 10, Pringle 3, Pessumal 3, Murrell 3, Gumaru 1, Tenorio 0, Onwubere 0, R. Aguilar 0, David 0.
CONVERGE 93 — Stockton 32, Arana 18, Melecio 10, Winston 9, Maagdenberg 7, Delos Santos 7, Santos 5, Caralipio 2, Fornillos 2, Flores 1, Vigan-Fleming 0, Nieto 0.
Quarterscores: 24-21, 48-48, 83-69, 105-93.