Ginebra rallies to beat Phoenix in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

Sports

THE Barangay Ginebra Kings struck hard in the endgame to come away with a 109-96 come-from-behind win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 50th PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday night, April 12, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings ended the third period down by two, 75-77, and were still down by four three minutes into the final canto when they staged a torrid 12-0 attack to turn things around.

Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos put in big numbers for the Kings, who followed up their 91-89 win over the Magnolia Hotshots with the impressive win to improve to 4-2 (win-loss).

Brownlee finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, and five assists while Abarrientos finished with 28 points on a splendid 7-for-11 shooting from three-point area.

Scottie Thompson added 17 markers and Stephen Holt had 12 for Ginebra, which erupted for 34 points in the final period while holding Phoenix to just 19.

Phoenix dropped to 3-3 after suffering a second straight defeat.

James Dickey III led the Fuel Masters with 21 points while Ken Tuffin had 18 markers. Jason Perkins scored 17 points in the first two quarters before going scoreless in the final half that hastened Phoenix’s downfall.

THE SCORES:

GINEBRA (109) – Brownlee 30, Abarrientos 28, Thompson 17, Holt 13, Cu 6, Gray 4, Go 4, Rosario 3, J.Aguilar 2, Pinto 2, Estil 0, Torres 0.

PHOENIX (96) – Dickey III 21, Tuffin 18, Perkins 17, Nelle 11, Rivero 9, Tio 9, Delos Santos 6, Escandor 5, Gozum 0, Santos 0.QUARTERSCORES: 26-24, 48-56, 77-75, 109-96.(CCM)