PBA: RJ Abarrientos drops career-high 35, tows Ginebra past Converge to force do-or-die QF match

RJ Abarrientos dropped a career-high 35 points to tow Barangay Ginebra past Converge, 105–85, on Thursday, Christmas Day, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, forcing a do-or-die game in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Abarrientos caught fire, shooting 12-of-18 from the field, including six three-pointers, to lead the No. 5 seed Barangay Ginebra.

Barangay Ginebra trailed 42-41 by halftime before Abarrientos took over in the second half.

After scoring just five points in the first half, Abarrientos erupted for 11 of Ginebra’s 29 points in the third quarter as the Gin Kings took a 70–64 lead heading into the final period.

Justine Baltazar cut Converge’s deficit to four to open the fourth quarter, but Abarrientos answered with the first of his four three-pointers in the period. By the time Barangay Ginebra stretched its lead to 90–75 with under five minutes remaining, Abarrientos had already scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter during that decisive run.

Abarrientos continued his hot shooting to push Ginebra ahead, 101–83, with 43 seconds left. His final free throws, off an Archie Concepcion flagrant foul, made it 103–85 before a basket by Ben Adamos sealed the victory.

“He’s got that capability — we all know that. We’ve seen it in the past,” said head coach Tim Cone of Abarrientos.

“He can get going almost Steph Curry-like, where he can just find an area, throw it up, and it goes in. I actually complained to him a little early in the second quarter. I told him he wasn’t looking for his shot enough, that he was passing the ball. I said he needed to look for his shot more. He came out in the second half, and it went in.”

Aside from Abarrientos, Japeth Aguilar finished with 16 points, while Scottie Thompson recorded 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

For the FiberXers, Justine Baltazar posted 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Schonny Winston added 14 points.

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 105– Abarrientos 35, J.Aguilar 16, Thompson 13, Holt 11, Rosario 10, Cu 8, David 6, Torres 2, Gray 2, Estil 0, R.Aguilar 0.

Converge 85 – Baltazar 19, Winston 14, Garcia 10, Gomez de Liano 9, Manuel 7, Arana 6, Concepcion 5, Muyang 3, Racal 0, Caralipio 0, Eguilos 0, Delos Santos 0.

Quarters: 23-21, 41-42, 70-64, 105-85.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News