.jpg) |
| RJ Abarrientos helped Ginebra defuse Converge in the end. PBA Images |
MANILA—RJ Abarrientos kept Ginebra in control of its PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal against Converge late in the contest and helped preserve an 88-80 win on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
With the FiberXers looking to steal the win and force a sudden-death Game 2 on Sunday night, Abarrientos took advantage of a crucial technical foul by Alec Stockton when he tried to use his shoe to block Abarrientos' layup and hit the technical free throw.
Abarrientos then scored on a jumper afterward to give the Gin Kings an 86-76 lead with 56 seconds left.
Stockton kept Converge alive with a four-pointer, but Abarrientos iced the game with two more charities and grabbed the rebound off another four-point attempt from Stockton.
Abarrientos finished with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals off the bench to lead Ginebra, which set a best-of-seven semifinal showdown against San Miguel beginning on Wednesday night.
Japeth Aguilar added 19 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks.
Justin Arana led Converge with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals.
Gelo Alolino, who was signed on Monday out of free agency, did not see action for the entire game as the team ended the conference with uncertainty on whether it can still sign Mikey Williams.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg&description=PBA: RJ Abarrientos delivers close out as Ginebra sets semis clash vs SMB with Converge ouster){kind=link}