Sidney Onwubere's big game preserved as Ginebra escapes Blackwater in OT thriller

Sidney Onwubere played his best PBA game. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Sidney Onwubere played his best game as a pro, but Ginebra still needed to heave a sigh of relief after Blackwater failed to steal the win at the death and conceded an 80-81 defeat in their PBA on Tour game on Wednesday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

In a game that remained low-scoring even if it went to overtime, Onwubere shone brightly as if he was with EAC Generals again, scoring 25 points on 8-of-13 field goals, 11 rebounds, one block, and one steal for the Gin Kings.

However, none was more important than his layup with 43 seconds left which put his team up for good.

Despite that, Jeremiah Gray committed a crucial blunder when he fouled Tyrus Hill while the latter was going for a buzzer-beating putback off an RK Ilagan missed triple.

But as fate would have it, Hill missed both his free throws and Onwubere secured the game-sealing rebound.

Gray added 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block for Ginebra, which only won for the second time this preseason.

James Sena led Blackwater with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Troy Rosario chipped in 12 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

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