Guest team Eastern scored three consecutive wins for fifth overall in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Ginebra shot 25-for-50 or 50 percent from the three-point line in its first two games as it raced off to a scintillating start in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Against their third foe, Eastern, on Sunday, Dec. 15, the Gin Kings were nowhere near that mark.
The Hong Kong-based guest team capitalized on Ginebra's shooting woes to hammer out a 93-90 win at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
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With the Gin Kings going a harrowing 1-for-19 from that range, Eastern secured its third straight win for fifth overall in six games in the mid-season tournament.
“It’s a big win for the team, really. They fought well. It’s not easy to play. I know very well how hard it is to play against Ginebra,” said Eastern coach Bensur Bajramovic.
While Ginebra struggled from deep, visitor Hayden Blankley shot five triples on his way to a team-high 25 points he spiked with five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Christopher McLaughlin had a stellar outing of 20 points and 21 rebounds. He also had six assists, a steal and two blocks.
Ramon Cao scored 14 and Glen Yang added 11.
“We tried to make a plan how to play against that (Ginebra’s offensive and defensive prowess). I’m happy the players believed and trusted the plan,” said Bajramovic.
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Despite the shooting slump, the Gin Kings managed to stay within striking distance, with RJ Abarrientos canning a pair of free throws to threaten at 90-91.
But Blankley sank two charities of his own before Ginebra do-it-all guard Scottie Thompson made a desperation heave from the left corner that sailed way off.
Japeth Aguilar put up an all-around game of 26 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks, but needed to retreat to the bench after appearing to hurt his left leg inside the final minute.
Justin Brownlee fired 18 points but went 0-for-6 from the three-point area. He also had 12 rebounds, an assist and two swats.
Stephen Holt scored 14 points, while Abarrientos and Troy Rosario added 12 markers each.
The Scores:
EASTERN 93 – Blankley 25, McLaughlin 20, Cao 14, Yang 11, Lam 8, Chan 6, Guinchard 5, Leung 3, Xu 1, Cheung 0, Zhu 0.
GINEBRA 90 – J.Aguilar 26, Brownlee 18, Holt 14, Abarrientos 12, Rosario 12, Thompson 8, Ahanmisi 0, Cu 0, Adamos 0.
Quarterscores: 26-25, 54-44, 73-67, 93-90