PBA: Ginebra downs Meralco in eventual QF preview

RJ Abarrientos' clutch free throws helped Ginebra seal the deal against Meralco a week before they meet again in the quarterfinals. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Despite having to play most of its third-string players down the stretch, Ginebra did just enough to take down an all-Filipino Meralco squad, 91-87, in their crucial PBA Commissioner's Cup match-up on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The game turned out to be a glimpse of what to expect next week as the result actually set up a best-of-three quarterfinal series pitting both teams.

The Gin Kings appeared to be pulling away after a tight first half after opening the third quarter on a 17-2 run to go up, 61-44, with seven minutes to play in the said period.

Interestingly, coach Tim Cone began emptying his bench later in the third quarter, although the seldom-used guys' efforts were still enough to keep them on top, 68-59, at the end of the period.

However, the Bolts, despite sitting out Akil Mitchell for the game as he recovers from a back injury, continued their comeback bid in the fourth even if key players RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario were brought back to the game, and they came to within two, 87-89, with 30 seconds to go.

Meralco's late efforts went down the drain as Abarrientos sank two free throws off Kurt Reyson's foul and CJ Cansino missed a four-point try in the end that could have forced overtime.

Abarrientos led Ginebra, which finished its elimination round campaign in fourth place at 8-4, with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal off the bench.

Justin Brownlee added 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 22 and a half minutes of action.

Cansino led Meralco, which despite the loss that dropped the team to 7-4 is now assured of the fifth seed, with 15 points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal off the bench.

Raymond Almazan, who was formally added to the 1,000 Offensive Rebounds Club at halftime, chipped in 13 points, 13 rebounds, and one steal.

On when both teams begin their quarterfinal clash will depend on the outcome of Friday's doubleheader at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

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