Ginebra marched on to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals with their triumph over Rain or Shine.
Head coach Tim Cone could not help but feel pleased after Ginebra put up its best game in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Cone was referring to the Gin Kings’ masterful performance in its 120-92 win over Rain or Shine at the Ynares Center Antipolo Wednesday, Jan. 22.
“We haven’t put a good game together this conference. Tonight was one of those games that everything just came together,” said Cone.
“We played well defensively, we executed really well offensively, and we shot the ball well," he added.
Ginebra's stellar outing could be seen as a strong response to its previous stinging setback to TNT, months after also losing to the same team in the Governors’ Cup Finals.
“I'm really pleased with the effort everybody had tonight. We're all disappointed losing to Talk 'n Text again after losing to them after the finals last conference,” said the winningest PBA coach, whose team used a 36-22 second quarter to get ahead and never look back.
The Gin Kings now improved to 7-4, guaranteeing themselves a slot in the quarterfinals.
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Justin Brownlee led the attack with 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block.
Scottie Thompson, who earned the Player of the Game honors, put up 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists. He also had a steal and a block.
Troy Rosario also continued to thrive in Cone’s vaunted triangle system, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
“It’s really our best game of the conference. It couldn’t have come at a better time right now,” Cone added.
Reinforcement Deon Thompson paced the Elasto Painters with 23 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and a block.
Anton Asistio, Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito combined for 44 points for Rain or Shine, which, despite the loss, remained in the hunt for a playoff berth with its 6-4 record.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 120 – Brownlee 29, Thompson 22, Rosario 14, Abarrientos 14, J.Aguilar 12, Malonzo 9, Holt 8, R.Aguilar 4, Mariano 3, Pessumal 3, Ahanmisi 2, Pinto 0, Adamos 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 92 – D. Thompson 23, Asistio 14, Nocum 13, Clarito 12, Tiongson 7, Belga 7, Caracut 6, Malonzo 4, Lemetti 3, Demusis 2, Santillan 1, Norwood 0, Datu 0.
Quarterscores: 30-23, 66-45, 91-72, 120-92