Ginebra coach Tim Cone opted to give the other Gin Kings a chance to shine and stay sharp in time for the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
In a game that had nothing but seeding at stake for Ginebra, head coach Tim Cone felt it was the best time to field in sparingly used players.
Despite that, the Gin Kings went on to beat import-less Meralco, 91-87, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday night, Jan. 29.
Among the shock troopers, Raymond Aguilar logged the most time on the court with over 20 minutes and wound up with two points, two rebounds and an assist.
Von Pessumal produced seven points and a steal in less than 11 minutes on the floor for Ginebra.
Cone said they opted to put their core on load management since the team was already assured of a top six spot anyway with an 8-4 record.
“This game was more of an opportunity for us to get ready for the playoffs. So we want to make sure guys who have not been getting a lot of minutes [can stay sharp because] you just don’t know what happens in the playoffs," said Cone.
“No. 1, you don’t want your core to get injured in a game like this. And you want to make sure that guys who are not playing a lot of minutes have a chance to stay sharp in case something does happen in the playoffs.”
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Prized rookie RJ Abarrientos led the team in scoring with 17, including the last four free throws that slammed the door on the Bolts.
Justin Brownlee finished with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal. Troy Rosario and Stephen Holt scored 13 points apiece.
Aljon Mariano sees action for nearly 14 minutes for the Ginebra Gin Kings in their match against the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Wednesday, Jan. 29. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Meanwhile, Meralco import Akil Mitchell sat out the match owing to some back issues.
In his stead, rookie CJ Cansino led the team’s attack with 15 points while Raymond Almazan had 13 points and the same number of rebounds.
Aaron Black also had 11 points, six rebounds and four assists while providing some endgame spark that allowed the Bolts to close in.
Meralco slipped to 7-4, effectively ending its bid for a Top Two finish at the end of the elimination round.
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The Scores:
GINEBRA 91 – Abarrientos 17, Brownlee 15, Rosario 13, Holt 13, Malonzo 9, Pessumal 7, Ahanmisi 6, J.Aguilar 4, Thompson 2, R. Aguilar 2, Pinto 2, Tenorio 1, Cu 0, Mariano 0.
MERALCO 87 – Cansino 15, Almazan 13, Black 11, Hodge 9, Newsome 9, Quinto 8, Torres 5, Rios 5, Pasaol 4, Banchero 4, Batess 4, Reyson 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 44-42, 68-59, 91-87