By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings showed no mercy to the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, with a 99-77 rout in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night, May 11.
Christian Standhardinger anchored the Gin Kings’ attack with 36 points to go with 11 rebounds, while Maverick Ahanmisi also provided offensive spark with 16 markers, including three outside shots.
Japeth Aguilar and Ralph Cu contributed 12 and 11 markers, respectively, and Earl Scottie Thompson chipped in 11 points, 10 assists, seven steals, and six rebounds for the Gin Kings.
Barangay Ginebra had been in control since the opening period as they cruised to a 28-17 lead. It later grew to a 52-36 edge at the half, courtesy of inside shots by Standhardinger.
The dominance of the Gin Kings continued in the second half, with Cu, Standhardinger and Aguilar attacking the paint as the lead grew to as high as 25 points in the fourth quarter.
Andy Mark Barroca tallied 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Aris Dionisio added 10 points, while Paul Lee struggled with just six points, on 1-of-7 shooting, for the Hotshots.
Meanwhile, no. 8 ranked Terrafirma Dyip stayed alive in the quarterfinals after a 106-95 stunner against no. 1 ranked and twice-to-beat incentive holder San Miguel Beermen.
George Isaac Go finished with a career-high of 22 points, including six three-point conversions, to be named Player of the Game as the Dyip notched their first-ever playoff win in franchise history.
Juan Miguel Tiongson led the way with 29 points, rookie Stephen Holt added 25 markers, while Javi Gomez de Liaño contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Dyip.
The Dyip can complete their stunner against the defending champion Beermen in the do-or-die quarterfinals game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila on Wednesday night, May 15./ASC, WDJ
GINEBRA 99 — Standhardinger 36, Ahanmisi 16, J. Aguilar 12, Thompson 11, Cu 11, Pringle 6, Gumaru 3, Pinto 2, David 2, Tenorio 0, Onwubere 0, Pessumal 0, R. Aguilar 0, Murrell 0.
MAGNOLIA 77 — Barroca 19, Dionisio 10, Sangalang 8, Tratter 8, Abueva 8, Mendoza 7, Lee 6, Laput 4, Balanza 3, Dela Rosa 2, Ahanmis 2, Reavis 0, Jalalon 0, Eriobu 0.
Quarterscores: 28-17, 52-36, 80-58, 99-77.