Ginebra edges Meralco to zero in on finals return

Stanley Pringle waxed hot anew for the Barangay. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ginebra banked on a hot start to drub Meralco, 91-84, in Game 3 of their PBA semifinal series at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center on Sunday night.

The Barangay outscored the Bolts, 27-12, in the first quarter and kept the double-digit advantage for most of the game.

Meralco still tried to mount a comeback, but the team could only cut the lead to as low as six points as time ran out for them.

Stanley Pringle put up 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting, nine rebounds, and six assists for Ginebra, which retook the lead in the best-of-five series and moved to within a win from its second straight finals appearance.

Prince Caperal added 15 points, six rebounds, and one block off the bench.

Japeth Aguilar put up a double-double of 13 rebounds and 12 points with four blocks and one steal.

Allein Maliksi fired six three-pointers for 23 points with one assist and one steal for Meralco, which needs to win in Game 4 of the series on Wednesday night to keep its title hopes alive.

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