Justin Brownlee (left) breaks away for an unmolested layup. He didn’t have to do a lot in serving to Ginebra destroy lowly Blackwater. —PHOTOS BY AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Barangay Ginebra pulverized slumping Blackwater within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup earlier than a good-sized Sunday crowd at Ynares Middle right here in Antipolo Metropolis to shake off the in poor health results of a midweek setback by the hands of league-leading NorthPort.
However extra importantly, the 86-63 romp behind a stellar defensive effort additionally gave the Gin Kings some respiration room and momentum going into a tricky homestretch of the eliminations, starting with the rematch of the Governors’ Cup Finals towards the TNT Tropang Giga.
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“This [game against Blackwater] was actually an necessary sport for us to care for as a result of we don’t need to put strain on ourselves to brush the remaining video games going into the playoffs,” coach Tim Cone stated.
Ginebra, now tied with visitor workforce Hong Kong Jap and Converge at 6-3, faces TNT on Friday at Philsports Area in Pasig Metropolis in a sport maybe having far more which means after the Kings had been overwhelmed in six video games by the Tropang Giga for the championship in November.
From there, the going will get robust for the group favorites with Rain or Shine on Jan. 22 again on this metropolis and Meralco on Jan. 29 at Good Araneta Coliseum.
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“These groups are too good, no margin for error,” stated Cone. “It’s all about consistency, constant effort and constant focus.”
Consistency on protection goes to be on prime of Cone’s agenda after Ginebra pressured Blackwater to provide the bottom factors scored in a sport this season whereas permitting simply 29.9 % from the sphere.
That was a whole 360-degree turnaround from the final time Ginebra trooped to the ground when it fell, 119-116, to NorthPort, which made 52.2 % of its pictures.
“We weren’t taking pictures the ball properly, however we had our defensive chops tonight,” Cone stated, praising rookie RJ Abarrientos for offering the spark particularly within the second and third quarters when Ginebra took management.
Abarrientos completed with 15 factors for Ginebra, whereas import Justin Brownlee scored 18 on prime of seven rebounds and 4 assists.
However a promising improvement for the Gin Kings is the much-awaited return of Jamie Malonzo, who performed nearly 11 minutes and scored eight factors after being sidelined for 9 months attributable to a calf damage.
Malonzo, who has bulked up as a part of his restoration, even scored a breakaway dunk in his return that ought to assist Ginebra shore up its depth getting into the video games that matter.
Blackwater fell to 1-7 after a depressing displaying that put to waste the 27 factors of high-scoring import George King.
The Bossing as soon as once more performed with out rookie Sedrick Barefield attributable to an injured foot, however shall be trying to get an necessary outcome on Wednesday towards winless Terrafirma Dyip in a battle of lowly groups at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. INQ
