
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings are a win away from clinching a finals berth in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Gin Kings dominated the San Miguel Beermen on Friday, October 18, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, 121-92, to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven semifinals.
RJ Abarrientos flexed his might from the bench, tallying 28 points to lead all scorers in the match and also had three rebounds and two assists.
“Wala naman ako masyadong iniisip ngayon, eh. I just stick on the system. Sabi nga ni coach Tim [Cone] kanina, ‘di ko pinipilit shots ko. I just go with the flow sa offense and sa defense,” Abarrientos said during the postgame press conference.
“I’m not forcing anything. Ginagawa ko lang part ko coming from the bench,” he added.
Former league MVP Scottie Thompson chipped in 22 points, while Justin Brownlee did not have to put up a lot after a 49-point showing in a loss and collected 18 points and nine rebounds this time.
Ginebra pulled away as early as the second quarter after a 15-6 blitz from a 48-44 count to enter the break with a comfortable 63-50 lead.
The Beermen weren’t really able to recover from there as the Gin Kings eventually notched their third win in the semis.
But before that, Tim Cone’s wards had to overcome a 13-point deficit early in the match.
Pacing the Jorge Gallent-coached squad was import EJ Anosike, who dropped 21 markers, while eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo had a massive 17-point, 18-rebound showing in the defeat. (ABS-CBN News)