BARANGAY Ginebra split its two games in three nights, bouncing back from a loss with a win in a Manila Clasico that sent the Gin Kings back in the top four in the PBA Philippine Cup elims.
Crucial hits by Stephen Holt and Jamie Malonzo at endgame highlighted the Kings' strong closing barrage that lifted them past the Magnolia Hotshots, 85-81, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Holt first scored on a layup then Malonzo knocked down a trey as the Gin Kings took an 85-79 lead from which the Hotshots failed to recover.
The Kings overcame a nine-point deficit and secured the win that had them bolting out of a three-way tie at fourth place with the TNT Tropang 5G and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 5-3.
They're now at 6-3 and raring to pursue a chase for a top four finish and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters as they tackle the Tropang 5G on June 8 then the Elasto Painters a week later.
Sponsored content:
With a second loss in their last three outings, the Hotshots, on the other hand, fell to 7-2 in a tie for No. 1 with the NLEX Road Warriors.
Breathing down their neck at 6-2 is San Miguel Beer.
NLEX' win over Phoenix earlier in the night sent the Fuel Masters to the exit and completed the Final Eight cast.
Also out were Blackwater, NorthPort and Terrafirma.
However, the positioning for the top four remains wild and wooly.
Sponsored content:
Holt finished with 14 points that went with seven rebounds and two assists while Malonzo wound up with 11 markers plus five boards and two steals.
But it was actually a collective effort for the Kings who also drew double-digit outputs from Japeth Aguilar (with 17 points), Troy Rosario (15) and RJ Abarrientos (10).
Scottie Thompson made only five points on 2-of-4 field clip but added 11 rebounds and five assists while Aguilar tallied a double-double with 11 boards to go with his 17 markers.
Leading the losing side were Ian Sangalang and Zav Lucero with 16 points apiece.(SB)
Second Game
Ginebra 85 - J, Aguilar 17, Rosario 15, Holt 14, Malonzo 11, Abarrientos 10, Thompson 5, David 5, Pinto 4, Adamos 4, Gray 0.
Magnolia 81 - Sangalang 16, Lucero 16, Barroca 9, Laput 9, Lastimosa 8, Lee 6, Navarro 5, Dela Rosa 5, Alfaro 4, Dionisio 3.
Quarterscores: 22-24, 44-39, 59-68, 85-81
