The Ginebra Gin Kings got off to a rousing start in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup after besting the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday, March 10.
Ginebra sizzled in the third period as it downed Phoenix, 102-92, to pick up its second straight win in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 10.
The Gin Kings outgunned their fellow Commissioner's Cup semifinalist in the third, 32 to 19, to allow them to wrest control.
They thus followed up on their opening game triumph over Rain or Shine two days ago while keeping the Fuel Masters winless in two tries.
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Jamie Malonzo led Ginebra anew with a double-double effort of 17 points and 10 rebounds following a career game of 32 points in its first outing.
Stanley Pringle (13 points) swished three treys while Nards Pinto (12) and Ralph Cu (12) combined for seven triples for the Gin Kings who waxed hot from deep with their 16 total three-pointers.
Christian Standhardinger chipped in 12 points and dished out five assists while Maverick Ahanmisi took care of the boards with 11 while also handing off eight dimes to spike his seven-point production.
Ginebra was up by just four points, 47-43, at the turn but revved up in the third to build a comfortable 79-62 cushion at the end of the frame.
The Gin Kings held on to their advantage in the fourth with LA Tenorio pouring all of his four points in an exchange capped by a basket by Pringle that pushed them further ahead at 96-77 with 6:27 to go.
The Fuel Masters tried to mount a late run as they rallied behind JJ Alejandro and Javee Mocon to trim the gap to 11, 88-99, heading into the final two minutes of the contest.
But Ginebra rode its fiery shooting from three-point range to the finish with Pringle drilling in another one to restore order for the Gin Kings, 102-88, with 1:36 remaining.
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Jason Perkins was limited to 14 points after firing 28 in Phoenix's first loss to NorthPort last Friday.
Javee Mocon scored 13 and was a rebound shy of a double-double. Sean Manganti wound up with 11 points and Ken Tuffin, 10, for the Fuel Masters.