Ginebra beats Rain or Shine, sets up semis clash with San Miguel

Japeth Aguilar had 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Jervy Cruz chipped in 18 markers and seven boards off the bench, as the Barangay GInebra San Miguel defeated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 99-91, to advance to the semifinals of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup.

The Elasto Painters were down by just five heading into the final three minutes, but turnovers from Raymond Almazan and Maverick Ahanmisi allowed the Gin Kings to stretch the lead to seven anew, 96-89.

A Jay Washington jumper trimmed the deficit to five with 49 seconds left, but it was the last time Rain or Shine would score, as LA Tenorio secured insurance charities in the dying seconds to put the game away.

LA Tenorio tallied 17 points, while Joe Devance and Sol Mercado rounded up the Gin Kings in double figures with 10 points each. The two also combined for 11 points and 11 boards.

Maverick Ahanmisi paced Rain or Shine with 18 markers, seven boards, and five assists, while Ed Daquioag and Raymond Almazan 14 points each. Beau Belga, meanwhile, scored 13.

With the win, Ginebra now sets up a semifinals clash with the San Miguel Beermen. Game 1 will be on Friday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum. — BAP, GMA News