Barangay Ginebra’s backcourt proved too much for NLEX, cruising to a dominant 119-91 victory to get back on track in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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The Gin Kings, who were coming off a tough 95-88 loss to Blackwater last Friday, improved to an even 2-2 record, thanks to the hot hands of guards Stephen Holt, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, and Maverick Ahanmisi.
Holt is looking good with his new team so far, pouring a double-double performance against the Road Warriors with 26 points and 11 rebounds, alongside six assists to help Ginebra climb back up in Group B.
The former Terrafirma star was on point right from the get-go, churning out 12 points in the first half while Ahanmisi and Thompson dropped the same number as they took a 63-43 lead at the turn.
Rookie RJ Abarrientos then took over the spotlight in the second half, nailing a triple in the third and huge back-to-back jumpers to open the fourth for a 98-67 affair. NLEX tried to mount a rally, unleashing an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to just 19 after being down by as much as 33, 83-102.
But that was the closest the Road Warriors could get as Holt buried two consecutive triples to fuel a 17-8 closing run.
Ahanmisi chipped in 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists while Thompson and Abarrientos chimed in with 19 markers apiece, making up for an unusual low-scoring outing from Justin Brownlee as the resident import tallied just 13 points.
In the first game, Blackwater finally got a streak going after adding to Phoenix’ woes with a 123-11 triumph.
The Bossing have now won two straight games to improve to 2-3 while the Fuel Masters remain winless at 0-4.
George King III continued his solid offense for the once luckless Bossing, dropping 44 points on 50 percent shooting from the field to go with 13 rebounds, four assists, and one steal while Sedrick Barefield provided the help with 32 markers and five dimes.
Before this, Blackwater bowed to Rain or Shine, NLEX, and San Miguel but an import switch seemed to work well for the franchise.
