DEFENDING champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel struggled a bit before pulling away in the last quarter to beat Blackwater, 96-81, and claim its first victory in Season 46 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Bossing came within 77-79, but LA Tenorio drained a triple followed by a Japeth Aguilar dunk to spark Ginebra’s 7-0 run that provided the Gin Kings an 86-77 cushion with 3:49 left in the final period. Blackwater couldn’t come closer than two points, and Ginebra finally controlled the game.
Despite the victory, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone wasn’t satisfied with his wards’ performance.
“It wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure,” the two-time grand slam head coach said during the virtual post-game interview, noting that they are still developing their teamwork after their 75-94 defeat to Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) last Sunday. “We haven’t put together any pretty basketball yet. We are still working for teamwork right now. It’s a little bit of a struggle.”
Stanley Pringle scattered 19 points, had six rebounds and six assists, while Tenorio scored 17 points and dished out seven assists to lead the Gin Kings, who out-rebounded the Bossing in the entire game, 60-34.
Prince Caperal posted 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger had 11 points and 19 rebounds. Earl Scottie Thompson also got nine rebounds and added 11 points also for Ginebra.
Mike Tolomia and Simon Enciso produced 22 points and 16 points, respectively, for Blackwater but still stayed winless in three games.
In the second game, San Miguel Beer bounced back from defeat by defeating NLEX, 110-93, behind CJ Perez’s 21 points. Alex Cabagnot added 17 points and June Mar Fajardo got a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds also for the Beermen, who improved to 1-1 record.
The Road Warriors slipped to 1-2.
In other development, the TNT KaTropa management headed by league chairman and team governor Ricky Vargas confirmed to BUSINESSMIRROR on Friday that they already released Bobby Ray Parks Jr., who is reportedly heading to play in the Japan B.League. “TNT has written PBA and released Ray [Parks] to play in Japan league. His contract is expired,” Vargas said.