By Josh Castro
QUEZON CITY--Ginebra held off a late Purefoods rally to win, 96-87, in their PBA "Manila Clasico" tiff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night.
The Gin Kings lost a 16-point cushion but hung tough against a gritty Hotshots squad now led by new import Denzel Bowles.
Ginebra led, 74-58, with 11:02 left in the fourth quarter, but Purefoods unleashed a 20-4 run capped by back-to-back triples from Joe Devance to tie, 78-all, with 4:57 remaining.
The Gin Kings retook the lead and held on till the final buzzer as the Hotshots missed crucial free throws at the clutch and found themselves on a three-game losing streak.
Mike Dunigan scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Ginebra, but it was pint-sized Emman Monfort who showed the big heart as he added nine points seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
In his comeback game for the Purefoods franchise, Bowles had 31 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Box Scores:
Ginebra 96-Dunigan 22, Slaughter 19, Tenorio 16, Aguilar 10, Baracael 10, Monfort 9, Caguioa 7, Yeo 3, Ababou 0
Purefoods 87-Bowles 31, Simon 14, Barroca 14, Devance 14, Mallari 6, Pingris 6, Taha 2, Melton 0, Reavis 0, Pennisi 0
Quarterscores: 20-16, 45-38, 70-56, 96-87
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