MANILA – Barangay Ginebra turned in a much better performance that San Miguel Beer couldn’t match, leading to a dominant 126-99 win Friday to move within a win of advancing to the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup semifinals.
Jordan Murphy produced 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead Ginebra in Game 2 of their best-of-five quarterfinals at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The Gin Kings leaned on a barrage of three-point shots early in the match, continued to apply the pressure throughout the second half and had little trouble following up their 104-95 Game 1 win.
Game 3 is set 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at City of Dasmarinas Arena in Cavite, after Converge and Rain or Shine break their deadlock starting at 5:15 p.m.
Ginebra had eliminated San Miguel in their last five Governors’ Cup playoffs duels.
“Everyone is surprised about this as I am. We didn’t even dream that we would be able to get out 1-1, much less 2-0,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said.
“We’re definitely on a roll. Our offense is clicking and guys are locked in defensively. We’re just trying to keep the pressure on San Miguel, keep attacking and keep going at ‘em, and so far, it’s working.”
RJ Abarrientos added 22 points and Stephen Holt had 19 points, each sinking five of the Gin Kings’ total 16 triples.
Scottie Thompson had 12 points and 11 of the team’s 32 assists.
CJ Perez made 18 points to pace SMB, which suffered its worst loss since falling to Ginebra, 92-121, in Game 5 of last season’s Governors’ Cup best-of-seven semifinals.
Jerrick Ahanmisi added 17 while June Mar Fajardo atoned for a three-point output in Game 1 with 16, on top of nine boards.
Worse off was George King, who scored only 13 points after being limited to just nine shots.
In the nightcap, Converge tied its series against Rain or Shine, 130-25, after facing the same scenario like in Game 1 when it lost the early lead.
Unlike in their 120-124 series-opening defeat, the FiberXers rose to the occasion and forced the 1-1 tie.
Cameron Clark scored 22 points to go with three rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. He capped his heroics with two clutch free throws and an interception in the last 2:26 when Converge broke away from a 120-120 deadlock.
Mikey Williams hit a big triple, Calvin Abueva made a pair of important free throws and Alec Stockton made a split during that deciding stretch.
“It was a complete team effort. We played to our advantage throughout the game, we stayed composed,” said ace guard Juan Gomez de Liaño, who turned in a Player of the Game performance of 20 points, seven boards and eight assists.
“First game was kinda like a wakeup call sa amin (for us). We don’t want to let that happen again. We were up by 21 and let it go away that easily. I’m glad nakabawi kami.”
The FiberXers also spoiled the career performance of E-Painter Adrian Nocum, who issued a personal-high 18 assists together with his 22 markers.
Nocum’s total assists marked a new franchise record for Rain or Shine and was also the most by any player since Mike Cortez also dished out 18 in Air21’s 100-105 loss to Talk ‘N Text on Dec. 13, 2012 in the 2012-13 Philippine Cup.
Meanwhile, defending champion TNT and top eliminations team NLEX eye sweeps on Saturday, also at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
NLEX faces Phoenix at 5:15 p.m., seeking to become the first semifinalist after winning the first two games, 97-92 and 124-117.
TNT battles Magnolia at 7:30 p.m., riding on the momentum of its 92-70 and 91-73 victories.
The scores:
First Game
GINEBRA 126 – Murphy 33, Abarrientos 22, Holt 19, Thompson 12, J.Aguilar 9, Go 7, Rosario 7, Torres 6, Gray 5, Abis 3, Pinto 3, Cu 0, Estil 0, R. Aguilar 0.
SMB 99 – Perez 18, Ahanmisi 17, Fajardo 16, King 13, Trollano 13, Cruz 9, Calma 6, Brondial 4, Lassiter 2, Ross 1, Hernandez 0, Teng 0, Mantua 0, Tautuaa 0, Cahilig 0.
Quarters: 34-24; 69-62;102-82; 126-99
Second Game
CONVERGE 130 – Clark 22, Gomez de Liano 20, Baltazar 18, Stockton 18, Abueva 13, Arana 12, Tungcab 11, Williams 10, Policarpio 4, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Santos 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 125 – Fuller 26, Clarito 22, Nocum 22, Tiongsson 17, Villegas 10, Cuajao 10, Lemetti 8, Caracut 6, Malonzo 4, Santillan 0.
Quarters: 37-30; 70-56; 95-93;130-125 (PNA)
