Kings beat bolts at endgame
Barangay Ginebra turned it up late to get the better of rival Meralco, hacking out a gritty 112-107 comeback win to shore up its bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup elims last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Christian Standhardinger imposed his will inside with 31 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists while Justin Brownlee did not skip a beat from his Gilas Pilipinas duty, collecting 29 markers in the Gin Kings’ triumphant return from a nine-day break.
Fellow national players Jamie Malonzo (16) and Scottie Thompson (7-6-10) – fatigued and all – were still on target as Ginebra moved to 5-2.
Jeremiah Gray was also instrumental, pouring 11 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter highlighted by back-to-back triples in the last minute for a 108-102 Ginebra lead while Nards Pinto added 12 more before nursing cramps.
“I can’t be proud enough of Justin, Jamie and Scottie. I was with them with Gilas and it’s been a really tough week, especially on Justin in his first Gilas game. They did not manage to (rest) and practice, yet lo and behold, they showed up straight to the game and lead the team,” said Cone.
“But to win this game, we said that we would need the rest of the team to rely on, and lo and behold, Christian, Jeremiah and Nards (Pinto) stepped up. They’re the key guys tonight.”
Earlier, Phoenix Super LPG (4-5) pounced on an import-less Rain or Shine (2-7), 114-106, to improve its place in the playoff picture.
The E-Painters played without an import as their supposed reinforcement sub in Jordan Tolbert measured above the 6-foot-6 limit.
NOTES: Ginebra guard LA Tenorio’s “Iron Man’’ streak ended at 744 straight games played in 17 years after an aggravated sports hernia injury sidelined him from the game...The 38-year-old Tenorio, who holds the longest active streak of consecutive games played in PBA history since being drafted in 2006, has been ruled out for the rest of the conference. First Game Phoenix 114 – Garcia 17, Serrano 17, Perkins 16, Maxwell 15, Tio 14, Muyang 8, Manganti 7, Mocon 7, Lalata 6, Jazul 3, Lojera 3, Alejandro 1, Camacho 0, Adamos 0, Go 0.
Rain or Shine 106 – Santillan 14, Torres 14, Belga 13, Nambatac 11, Mamuyac 10, Borboran 8, Ildefonso 7, Nieto 6, Yap 5, Demusis 5, Norwood 5, Caracut 5, Asistio 3, Ponferrada 0, Clarito 0. Quarterscores: 29-14, 67-46, 89-76, 114-106 Second Game Ginebra 112 – Standhardinger 31, Brownlee 29, Malonzo 16, Gray 12, Pinto 12, Thompson 7, Pringle 5, Dillinger 0.
Meralco 107 – McDaniels 28, Maliksi 23, Newsome 15, Black 14, Hodge 10, Quinto 10, Banchero 5, Almazan 2, Caram 0, Jose 0.
Quarterscores: 32-37, 54-61, 76-80, 112-107