Starters sizzle as Ginebra routs Rain or Shine

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel repeated against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Monday, earning an 88-80 victory at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City to take Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals matchup.

All of Ginebra’s starters scored in double figures, led by LA Tenorio with 16 points. Joe Devance tallied 15, while Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson added 14 apiece. The two combined for 24 rebounds as well, along with 11 assists. Sol Mercado rounded up the scorers in double figures with 13.

A Rey Nambatac triple made it a one-point game at the start of the fourth period, but the Gin Kings responded with a 14-2 blast capped by a Sol Mercado triple to stretch the lead to 13, 82-69, midway through the quarter.

Ed Daquioag led Rain or Shine’s final push, slicing the deficit to just six with 1:49 to go, 84-78, but makes from Joe Devance and LA Tenorio heading into the final minute put the game out of reach.

Beau Belga and Ed Daquioag led Rain or Shine off the bench, contributing 17 and 16 points, respectively. The Elasto Painters’ starters struggled to put points of the board, as Maverick Ahanmisi was the only one who tallied double figures with 10. Gabe Norwood was limited to four points off a 2 of 11 clip, while Jewel Ponferada added nine. — DVM, GMA News