Ginebra needed some big shots down the stretch to shake off a defensive-minded Magnolia in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Sunday, March 31.
Ginebra broke free late on its way to hacking out an 87-77 win over Magnolia in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Sunday, March 31.
The Gin Kings needed Maverick Ahanmisi’s dagger of a triple for an 84-75 lead with 36.3 remaining to finally shake off the defensive-minded Hotshots in the low-scoring affair.
Christian Standhardinger added three more points after that as Ginebra barged into the win column again for a 3-1 record in joint third with NorthPort.
Magnolia slid to eighth with its 1-1 slate.
Stanley Pringle topscored for the Gin Kings with 17 points spiked by three triples. He also had six assists and a steal.
Japeth Aguilar overcame a sloppy start and finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a block.
Before the escape act, though, Ginebra had to overcome a suffocating pressure from the league’s best defensive squad.
Every time the Gin Kings threatened to pull away, the Hotshots had a riposte.
Jio Jalalon, who finished with 15 points, scored on a jumper with 2:28 left on the clock as Magnolia inched within four anew, 73-77.
But everything went downhill for the Hotshots from there.
Ginebra made Magnolia bleed for every shot attempt since then, while going on a 10-2 tear to seal the win.
“It’s really hard to execute through their pressure. That’s their calling card,” said Gin Kings coach Tim Cone.
Ian Sangalang paced the Hotshots with 19 points, while Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, and Abu Tratter combined for 33 markers.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 87 – Pringle 17, M. Ahanmisi 16, J.Aguilar 16, Malonzo 11, Standhardinger 11, Onwubere 8, Tenorio 5, Pinto 3, David 0.
MAGNOLIA 77 – Sangalang 17, Jalalon 15, Lee 12, Barroca 11, Tratter 10, Abueva 4, Mendoza 3, Corpuz 3, Laput 2, Escoto 0, Ahanmisi 0, Reavis 0, Eriobu 0.
Quarterscores: 17-18, 37-40, 60-56, 87-77