PBA: Ginebra pulls off late comeback to spoil Ricci Rivero's career game, edge Phoenix

RJ Abarrientos outshone Ricci Rivero. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Ginebra averted a huge collapse against Phoenix by completing a late rally to steal a 102-93 win in their PBA Philippine Cup game on Sunday night at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The Gin Kings held an 18-point lead, 41-23, near the halfway mark of the second quarter, but the Fuel Masters, with Ricci Rivero leading the way, slowly crawled back and led, 85-77, with 6:21 remaining in the fourth.

Ginebra then went on a 23-6 run that was capped by an 11-0 rally to give them the lead for good, 100-91, with 20 seconds left as both teams exchanged two-pointers in the end.

RJ Abarrientos led the Gin Kings, who avoided falling outside of the Top 8 ahead of the FIBA international window and moved up to 3-4, tying the Meralco Bolts in seventh place, with 25 points on 6-of-12 field goals, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, four rebounds, and four assists off the bench.

Scottie Thompson added 19 points on 8-of-14 field goals, including 3-for-4 on triples, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals.

Rivero finished with a career-high 28 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block, but his heroics fell short as the Fuel Masters fell to 2-6, tying the Titan Ultra Giant Risers in ninth place.

Jason Perkins added 17 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.