The series may have lasted five games, but the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings’ destination remained the same.

Barangay Ginebra is on its way to the championship round as it took out the NorthPort Batang Pier, 126-99, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Friday, March 7, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

This marked the franchise’s 32nd overall finals appearance, while this was Tim Cone’s 40th entry into the title bout.

The Cone-mentored squad avenged its Game 4 loss to complete a 4-1 rout of the Batang Pier, setting up another finals showdown with the Chot Reyes-coached TNT Tropang Giga.

Abarrientos, off the bench, amassed a total of 20 points and 10 assists to earn the Player of the Game nod. He had a lot of help, led by Justin Brownlee, who scattered a team-high 21 markers, including 11 boards.

Jamie Malonzo also had a 20-piece, Japeth Aguilar delivered 18, while Scottie Thompson chipped in 14 for the Ginebra scoring.

“Nag-step up lang lahat tulad nung three [wins] namin. We want back to the basics. Coach Tim, sinabi niya kailangan naming gawin is to sustain [consistent play], and mindset is one game at a time,” said Abarrientos.

It was the end of the road for the top-seeded NorthPort, which had a strong run but concluded it with almost consecutive losses in the semis.

Kadeem Jack paced the exiting side with 31 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block, while Allyn Bulanadi added 26. (ABS-CBN News)