PBA: Ginebra leans on defense in comeback act vs. Blackwater

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel flaunted its defense down the stretch as the defending champion gutted out a hard-fought 90-87 escape against Blackwater on Sunday in the 2023 PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Philsports Arena. 

The Gin Kings have won two games in a row since their tight 93-91 loss to rival Magnolia to improve to 3-1 while the Bossing absorbed their fourth straight loss to go 1-4. 

However, Ginebra had to buck a slow start before completing the come-from-behind victory. 

Back-to-back defensive stops by Ginebra prevented Blackwater from slicing a three-point deficit with barely a minute left in the ballgame before Scottie Thompson also missed out on his triple attempt, but the Gin Kings secured the offensive rebound for a chance to create more separation. 

Stanley Pringle, though, committed a turnover which allowed the Bossing to manufacture a potential game-tying play with 4.6 seconds left. 

Ginebra, who was once staring at a 17-point deficit late in the first quarter, displayed its defense anew with Japeth Aguilar blocking the final triple attempt from Blackwater import Chris Ortiz from the top of the key to bag the win. 

Reinforcement Tony Bishop led Ginebra with a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds laced with two steals, one assist, and one block while Maverick Ahanmisi churned out 20 markers, six boards, five dimes, and two swats to lead the local support. 

Christian Standhardinger also tallied a double-double effort of 16 points and 12 rebounds as Pringle listed 10 markers off the bench. 

Ortiz paced Blackwater with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while RK Ilagan had a stellar outing as he finished with 15 markers and five boards. 

Scores:

Ginebra 90 – Bishop 25, Ahanmisi 20, Standhardinger 16, Pringle 10, J.Aguilar 8, Thompson 7, Pinto 4, Cu 0.

Blackwater 87 – Ortiz 20, Ilagan 15, Rosario 15, Hill 11, Suerte 8, DiGregorio 8, Guinto 8, David 2, Casio 0, Escoto 0, Ayonayon 0, Banal 0.

Quarters: 19-36, 41-50, 71-69, 90-87.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News