PBA: Pringle, Cu show range as Ginebra draws first blood in semis vs. Meralco

Stanley Pringle and Ralph Cu made up for early offensive struggles to power Barangay Ginebra to a 92-88 Game 1 victory in their best-of-seven semifinals affair on Friday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Pringle delivered in the clutch to finish with a season-high 22 alongside six rebounds and one block, while rookie Cu put together six triples to tally 18 markers on top of two boards and two dimes as the Gin Kings drew first blood, 1-0. 

Both Pringle and Cu were limited to just six points in the first half before getting their groove in the second half to steer the wheel for the Tim Cone-mentored crew. 

Ginebra broke a 54-all deadlock in the third by unleashing a 19-7 closing run to gain a much-needed 73-61 cushion before heading to the payoff period. 

The Bolts, however, did not go down without a fight after responding with their own 12-5 rampage that allowed them to trim the gap to a single digit, 73-78. 

Chris Newsome then displayed his brilliance on both ends, completing a three-point play chance before grabbing a steal that led to a Chris Banchero layup in the final 1:08, 84-89. 

Another pair of freebies from Newsome made it a four-point deficit for the Bolts, 86-90, but a Pringle floater proved to be the dagger for Ginebra as it sent them to a 92-86 advantage with only 39 ticks remaining. 

Big men Japeth Aguilar and Christian Standhardinger were also huge in the win with the former dropping 17 points and eight rebounds while the latter poured in 14 markers, seven boards, and seven assists. 

Newsome, on the other hand, ended up top-scoring the Bolts with 21 points, which came with 13 rebounds and six assists, while Banchero and Allein Maliksi chipped in 15 and 13 markers apiece. 

Game 2 of the series is set on Sunday at 3 p.m. 

Scores:

Ginebra 92 – Pringle 22, Cu 18, J.Aguilar 17, Ahanmisi 15, Standhardinger 14, Thompson 5, Onwubere 1, Tenorio 0, Pinto 0.

Meralco 88 – Newsome 21, Banchero 15, Maliksi 13, Quinto 11, Hodge 10, Almazan 8, Bates 6, Caram 3, Pasaol 1, Mendoza 0, Torres 0, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 22-22, 40-41, 73-61, 92-88.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News