PBA: Ginebra stifles Phoenix in Q4 to go 2-0

RJ Abarrientos put up a solid all-around game for Ginebra. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ginebra nearly shut down Phoenix in the fourth quarter to pull off a 94-72 blowout win in their PBA Commissioner's Cup clash on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Down by as much as eight points for most of the game, the Gin Kings turned things around with a 21-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters even as the Fuel Masters were limited to only seven points in the final frame.

RJ Abarrientos stepped up for Ginebra, now 2-0 in the standings ahead of a huge showdown against Hong Kong Eastern on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with 12 points, five rebounds, and six assists.

Scottie Thompson led the Gin Kings with 17 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while Japeth Aguilar added 16 points and six rebounds.

Donovan Smith put up 20 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, and one block for Phoenix, but he struggled since spraining his right ankle late in the third as his team dropped to 0-4.

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