PBA: Ginebra spoils Jordan Heading's return, rips TNT to near Top 4

RJ Abarrientos caught fire from long range again to help defuse TNT. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Ginebra caught TNT on a bad night and whipped them, 97-78, in a pivotal PBA Philippine Cup game on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Sending a statement that they are ready to spoil the Tropang 5G's grand slam attempt, the Gin Kings, who lost to the PLDT franchise in the two previous finals, raced to a 30-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and stretched the huge advantage up to 32, 59-27, early in the third quarter.

TNT could only chop the lead down to less than 20 in the end when both teams had already emptied their benches.

RJ Abarrientos led Ginebra, now tied with Magnolia for third place at 7-3, with 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, four rebounds, and four assists off the bench.

Japeth Aguilar added 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 14 rebounds, two assists, and one block.

The Gin Kings can officially secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals with a win against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters next Sunday.

Calvin Oftana led TNT, which lost for the first time after six straight wins and dropped to a three-way tie with Converge and ROS at 6-4, with 18 points, three rebounds, one assist, four steals, and two blocks.

The Tropang 5G decided to deploy Jordan Heading for action and contributed 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal off the bench.

They must now beat the Hotshots on Friday night if they want to still have a shot at the Top 4 finish in the eliminations.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 97 – Abbarientos 23, J. Aguilar 20, Holt 12, Malonzo 12, Rosario 11, Pinto 6, Thompson 5, R. Aguilar 4, David 2, Gray 2, Adamos 0, Ahanmisi 0, Cu 0

TNT 78 – Oftana 18, Heading 10, Aurin 9, Pogoy 8, Williams 8, Khobuntin 7, Enciso 5, Nieto 4, Vosotros 3, Erram 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Varilla 2, Heruela 0

QUARTERS: 30-11, 54-27, 74-50, 97-78

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