After dropping its last two matches in the best-of-seven series, Ginebra appeared to have finally solved the puzzle that is Meralco in Game Four on Friday, May 22.
Ginebra did everything right from the get-go en route to a one-sided 90-71 win over Meralco that levelled their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Friday, May 24.
Christian Standhardinger was at the forefront of the Gin Kings' attack, posting a near triple-double outing of 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as they tied the race-to-four battle at two games apiece.
But it was Japeth Aguilar who led Ginebra in scoring, dropping 21 he laced with six rebounds and two blocks.
Scottie Thompson added 15 points built on three three-pointers, while Stanley Pringle had 14 points and three rebounds.
LA Tenorio started for Ginebra and finished with seven points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals in over 22 minutes of action.
Behind the stellar playmaking of Tenorio, the Gin Kings raced off to a scintillating 31-15 start before pouncing on the hapless Bolts in the third period to take an insurmountable 73-49 heading into the fourth.
Ginebra did enough in the final frame to keep the Bolts at bay and come up with the much-needed win that snapped a two-game losing skid.
“As bad as we played last game, we played that good this game. I just felt that energy was so much better,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Allein Maliksi and Chris Banchero paced Meralco with 14 points each.
Chris Newsome added 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists for the Bolts.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 90 – J.Aguilar 21, Thompson 15, Standhardinger 15, Pringle 14, Ahanmisi 7, Tenorio 7, Pinto 4, Cu 3, Gumaru 3, Murrell 1, Pessumal 0R. Aguilar 0, David 0
MERALCO 71 – Banchero 14, Maliksi 14, Newsome 10, Caram 8, Hodge 6, Mendoza 5, Torres 4, Quinto 3, Bates 3, Almazan 2, Pascual 2, Jose 0, Rios 0, Dario 0, Pasaol 0
Quarterscores: 31-15, 47-32, 73-49, 90-71