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| Maverick Ahanmisi led the way for Ginebra in Scottie Thompson's return. Dennis Acosta |
QUEZON CITY—Scottie Thompson's return from back and knee issues became very timely for Ginebra as they clobbered Meralco, 110-96, in their PBA Commissioner's Cup game on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In a game where Tony Bishop was held down by his former team, Thompson made a grand comeback as he put up 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one block emphatic block on the Bolts' current import Zach Lofton as the Gin Kings scored a huge win to keep their hopes of making the Top 4 in the quarterfinals alive.
Ginebra slowly pulled away from Meralco in the final three quarters and blasted off in the fourth period when they led by as much as 19 points, 104-85, before settling for the 14-point win.
Maverick Ahanmisi top-scored for the now 5-3 Gin Kings with 25 points alongside three rebounds and three assists.
Christian Standhardinger also put up 21 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists, while Bishop had his own double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds with two assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Lofton finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal for the Bolts, who fell to force a tie with the Phoenix Fuel Masters for second place and instead dropped to 6-2.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 110 – Ahanmisi 25, Thompson 21, Standhardinger 21, Malonzo 17, Bishop 12, Pringle 7, J.Aguilar 7, Tenorio 0, Onwubere 0
MERALCO 96 – Lofton 23, Hodge 17, Black 14, Maliksi 10, Quinto 10, Newsome 9, Almazan 6, Pascual 4, Banchero 3, Torres 0, Bates 0, Rios 0
QUARTERS: 24-25, 53-50, 84-75, 110-96
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