Ginebra turns back NLEX, gains QF slot
Pulse or Shine KaTropa 9 2
8 3
7 3
6 3 Miguel 6 4 Magnolia 5 5 Alaska 4 5 NLEX 4 6 Columbian 4 7 Meralco 3 7 NorthPort 2 6 Blackwater 2 9 twice-to-beat advantage quarterfinals berth
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – NorthPort vs TNT KaTropa 6:45 p.m. – San Miguel vs Alaska
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel outlasted NLEX, 105-96, to formally clinch a quarterfinals berth while keeping its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage alive in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Angeles City, Pampanga. Ginebra overcame a 16-point first half deficit before surviving the Road Warriors’ three-point shooting in the Petron Blaze Saturday Special to book its third straight win and improve to 6-3.
Japeth Aguilar finished with 27 points and nine rebounds, LA Tenorio scored 17 points and Scottie Thompson produced 14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
Coach Tim Cone’s team need to win its final two matches and for TNT KaTropa to beat NorthPort in today’s 4:30 p.m. match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to create a three-way tie for second at 8-3 with Rain or Shine.
Should that occur, Ginebra will gain the second twice-to-beat bonus due to a superior quotient.
The Kings next play the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday before facing the NorthPort Batang Pier on April 3.
Poy Erram delivered 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks and JR Quinahan posted 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists but the Road Warriors dropped to eighth place at 4-6 despite firing 18 triples.
NLEX needs to beat Magnolia on April 3 in order to secure a place in the quarters, or otherwise face the possibility of meeting the Columbian Dyip in a playoff for the eighth and final quarters slot.
The Road Warriors shot eight threes, half of which came from Quinahan in the first quarter before extending their lead to 42-26 in the second.
But Ginebra slowly chipped away at the deficit to seize the driver seat.