Ginebra takes first win against Phoenix; Blackwater downs Converge

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel finally barged into the win column at the expense of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters, 95-89, on Wednesday in the PBA On Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Nards Pinto registered big numbers with 22 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, while Aljon Mariano finished with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Raymond Aguilar and Jayson David chipped in 15 points apiece.

Phoenix was trailing by just five points with 1:44 left in the final frame, but baskets from Aguilar and Mariano pushed their lead back to nine, 95-86, at the 0:33 mark. JC Fetalvero drilled a triple late to trim their final score deficit to just six points.

RJ Jazul had 18 points, while Reden Celda had 17 points in the Phoenix loss.

The win improved Ginebra's record to 1-2, while Phoenix went down to 2-3.

Earlier, Blackwater took down the undermanned Converge FiberXers, 102-97.

Rashawn Mccarthy dropped 30 points, while Rey Suerte and Baser Amer chipped in 12 points apiece in the Bossing's third win in five games.

The win spoiled Justin Arana's 32-point, 17-rebound performance, and assistant coach Mcjour Luib's playing debut where he finished with three points as they slid to 1-3. Only nine FiberXers logged playing time in the said game.

PBA On Tour action will return on Friday at the same venue as the Terrafirma
Dyip battle the NLEX Road Warriors at 5 p.m. while the TNT Tropang Giga will face the undefeated Magnolia Timplados Hotshots at 7:30 p.m.

The scores:

First game
Blackwater 102 – McCarthy 30, Suerte 12, Amer 12, Taha 9, Sena 9, DiGregorio 8, Ilagan 7, Ular 6, Banal 6, Hill 3, Escoto 0, Ayonayon 0.

Converge 97 – Arana 32, Stockton 15, Balanza 14, Racal 9, Ambohot 8, Nieto 7, Zaldivar 6, Luib 3, Ebona 3, Mendoza 0.

Quarters: 21-19, 44-47, 74-72, 102-97.

Second game
Ginebra 95 – Pinto 22, Mariano 18, David 15, R. Aguilar 15, Gumaru 6, Onwubere 6, Aurin 6, Pessumal 4, Gray 3, Cu 0, Salcedo 0.

Phoenix 89 – Jazul 18, Celda 17, Mocon 14, Muyang 13, Lalata 11, Soyud 8, Atienza 3, Fetalvero 3, Alejandro 2, Rangel 0.

Quarters: 26-26, 47-47, 78-68, 95-89.