Ginebra pulled off a narrow win over Rain or Shine to open its PBA Philippine Cup campaign.
Jamie Malonzo fired 32 points as Ginebra fended off Rain or Shine, 113-107, to kickstart its PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup campaign with a win on Friday, March 8.
Malonzo also collared eight rebounds, swatted four blocks, dished out three assists and swiped two steals as the Gin Kings doused a last-ditch Elastopainters effort to come out victorious.
Rain or Shine remained luckless in three tries.
The Gilas standout dropped 15 of his total output in a stirring opening salvo that saw Ginebra zoom to a 33-26 lead.
Behind Malonzo and Japeth Aguilar, the Gin Kings kicked into high gear in the third period to secure a 12-point advantage, 92-79, at the end of the frame.
The Elastopainters, however, retaliated behind Anton Asistio and Beau Belga to come within six, 91-97, with 8:14 to go in the final period.
Ginebra stood unfazed as Christian Standhardinger struck with back-to-back buckets and Malonzo made his last field goal to help hike its advantage back to 15 points, 107-92, with 3:26 left in the match.
But no lead is safe against the gritty Rain or Shine which is craving for a taste of a victory after dropping its first two assignments.
Adrian Nocum, Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut teamed up to produce the last 15 points of the Elastopainters, who put up their final stand at 107-111 with 14 ticks to go.
Maverick Ahanmisi wrapped it up for the Gin Kings with a pair of free throws.
Asistio paced Rain or Shine with 21 points while Santi Santillan, Caracut and Mamuyac chipped in 16 points each.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 113 – Malonzo 32, Standhardinger 18, Ahanmisi 18, J.Aguilar 17, Pringle 12, Cu 7, Pinto 5, Gumaru 3, Tenorio 1, Pessumal 0, Onwubere 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 107 – Asistio 21, Caracut 16, Santillan 16, Mamuyac 16, Belga 9, Borboran 8, Norwood 5, Clarito 4, Datu 0, Demusis 0.
Quarterscores: 33-26, 58-52, 92-79, 113-107