PBA: Barangay Ginebra routs Blackwater for bounce-back win

Barangay Ginebra bounced back from its first loss of the conference with a convincing 115-85 rout of Blackwater on Friday in the PBA Governors' Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings led from start to finish and built a lead as large as 40 points, 105-65, early in the fourth quarter. Troy Malilin knocked down a three-pointer to end Barangay Ginebra's 9-0 run, but the Bossing never threatened as Kemark Cariño and Troy Rosario combined for 18 of the Gin Kings' 34 points in the final period.

After shooting just 32.6 percent from the field in their loss to Phoenix last Sunday, Barangay Ginebra responded with a much-improved 53.7-percent clip against Blackwater.

"I think it was getting the game under our belt, getting that first-game jitters out of the way, a couple of practices... With a couple more practices and getting that game under our belt, I was confident we'd come out and play better," Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said, while also giving credit to the Bossing.

Stephen Holt caught fire from beyond the arc, draining five three-pointers on his way to 19 points, while import Riley Grigsby finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block.

Barangay Ginebra also showcased a balanced offensive attack, with RJ Abarrientos adding 14 points. Cariño, Rosario, Ralph Cu, Nards Pinto, and Japeth Aguilar chipped in 11 points apiece.

Kentrell Barkley led Blackwater with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and an assist. Sedrick Barefield and Dalph Panopio contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, while RK Ilagan was held to 10 points.

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 115 – Holt 19, Grigsby 18, Abarrientos 14, Rosario 11, J.Aguilar 11, Cu 11, Pinto 11, Carino 11, Estil 4, Gray 2, Abis 2, Torres 1, R.Aguilar 0, Go 0.

Blackwater 85 – Barkley 26, Barefield 16, Panopio 15, Ilagan 10, Austria 5, Mallilin 5, Murrell 2, Escoto 2, Dumont 1, Mendoza 1, Demusis 0, DiGregorio 0, Sena 0, Una 0.

Quarters: 31-23, 62-42, 96-63, 115-85.

—JKC, GMA News