Sparingly used Jansen Rios made the most of his time on the court in the Meralco Bolts' Game 2 faceoff with the Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
Jansen Rios faced reporters in the mandatory post-game press conference for winning teams in the PBA for the first time Friday, Feb. 7.
Rios was hailed Player of the Game after Meralco lived to fight another day over Ginebra, 108-104, in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
Playing for over 25 minutes, the sparingly used Rios wound up with 15 points, including six in the fourth period to aid the Bolts in fending off a late-game Gin Kings uprising.
Meralco squandered a 10-point lead but hung tough for the much-needed win.
Asked where his newfound confidence is coming from, the former Adamson Falcon bared he was inspired to play since his wife gave birth to his second son last Jan. 20.
“Sobrang inspired ako dahil sa family, sa baby. Sobrang thankful ako kasi binigyan ako ng ganitong opportunity,” said Rios, who also had two rebounds, an assist and a steal.
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But it wasn’t just Rios who stepped up so that the Bolts could force a deciding Game 3 on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Jansen Rios struts his stuff for the Meralco Bolts in their Game 2 joust with the Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Friday, Feb. 7. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Chris Newsome topscored with 24 points he topped with two rebounds and five assists, Cliff Hodge had 17 markers and six boards, while Bong Quinto added 14 points.
Import Akil Mitchell still delivered a triple-double with 13 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists despite facing foul trouble.
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Ginebra banked on Jamie Malonzo to will it back in the match.
Malonzo put up six points in the final 2:24, including the free throws that got the Gin Kings to within four, 104-108, which turned out to be the final score as rookie RJ Abarrientos bungled his well-contested attempt from 27 feet with three ticks left.
The Scores:
MERALCO 108 – Newsome 24, Hodge 17, Rios 15, Quinto 14, Mitchell 13, Banchero 13, Black 8, Almazan 2, Cansino 2, Bates 0, Pascual 0, Caram 0.
GINEBRA 103 – Brownlee 36, Thompson 21, Abarrientos 12, J.Aguilar 10, Rosario 9, Malonzo 9, Ahanmisi 2.
Quarterscores: 26-25, 58-53, 85-81, 108-104.