PBA: RJ Abarrientos, new import Jordan Murphy power Ginebra past Rain or Shine

RJ Abarrientos caught fire from the field, drilling three four-pointers and six triples on his way to a 34-point outing, while new import Jordan Murphy added 30 points to power Barangay Ginebra past Rain or Shine, 129-111, in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The Gin Kings came out firing, outscoring the Elasto Painters, 40-19, in the opening quarter before building a commanding 73-46 halftime lead. Abarrientos had already tallied 20 points by the break, while Murphy contributed 16.

Ginebra continued to dominate in the third quarter, stretching its advantage to 106-75 heading into the final period before Rain or Shine mounted a late rally.

Down by 30 with around three minutes remaining, the Elasto Painters unleashed an 8-0 run led by Andrei Caracut and Aaron Fuller before Ralph Cu halted the surge with a three-pointer. Caracut answered with a jumper, but Cu scored again for Ginebra. Caracut then knocked down a triple to trim the deficit before Stanley Pringle capped Rain or Shine’s late-game push with a four-pointer.

Stephen Holt and Troy Rosario chipped in 14 points apiece as Ginebra improved to 3-4, snapping a two-game losing streak.

Fuller led Rain or Shine with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists, while Deo Cuajao added 19 points. Adrian Nocum and Mike Malonzo contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Caracut finished with 12.

The loss dropped Rain or Shine to 4-3, ending its four-game winning streak.

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 129 – Abarrientos 34, Murphy 30, Holt 14, Rosario 14, J.Aguilar 8, Cu 8, Go 7, Gray 6, Thompson 6, Torres 2, Pinto 0, R.Aguilar 0

Rain or Shine 111 – Fuller 23, Cuajao 19, Nocum 15, Malaonzo 14, Caracut 12, Tiongson 8, Pringle 7, Clariot 5, Villegas 3, Lemetti 3, Santillan 2, Manaytay 0, Asistio 0

Quarters: 40-19, 73-46, 106-75, 129-111.

—JKC, GMA News