PBA: Ginebra whips NorthPort to stay in hunt for twice-to-beat edge

Tony Bishop paced the Gin Kings' huge win vs. NorthPort. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY—Ginebra stayed in the chase for a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals after ending NorthPort's bid for the Top 4 finish with a win on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After a tight contest for the first three quarters, the Gin Kings pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Batang Pier, 103-93, to walk away with the win.

Tony Bishop led Ginebra, which tied San Miguel for fourth place at 7-3, a half-game behind Phoenix and Meralco for second and third places, with 26 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and five steals.

Jamie Malonzo and Christian Standhardinger each added 16 points.

Arvin Tolentino made 27 points on 10-of-17 field goals, six rebounds, one assist, four steals, and one block for NorthPort, which fell to 6-5 to end its elimination round campaign.

Venky Jois added 21 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and one steal, but he was 3-for-11 from the free-throw line and had seven turnovers.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 103 – Bishop 26, Malonzo 16, Standhardinger 16, J.Aguilar 15, Ahanmisi 13, Pringle 10, Thompson 7, Tenorio 0, Pinto 0, Onwubere 0, Cu 0, Gumaru 0

NORTHPORT 93 – Tolentino 27, Jois 21, Zamar 11, Calma 10, Yu 8, Munzon 6, Chan 5, Paraiso 5, Flores 0, Rosales 0, Amores 0, Adamos 0

QUARTERS: 24-26, 50-50, 77-72, 103-93 

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