(PBA image)
Barangay Ginebra saved its best for last, erasing an 11-point deficit and pulling off a heart-stopping 102-100 comeback win over Rain or Shine on Thursday morning (Manila time) at the Khalifa City Sports Stadium in Bahrain to complete the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals cast.
Down and seemingly running out of time, the Kings found life in the fourth quarter behind RJ Abarrientos, who ignited the rally with a flurry of baskets that slowly chipped away at Rain or Shine’s lead. Ginebra trailed by as many as 12 in the final period before Abarrientos took over, pouring in 12 of his game-high 25 points in the quarter as the Kings clawed back from a 65-77 hole.
The comeback reached its dramatic peak in the closing seconds. With the Kings trailing by one, Scottie Thompson calmly rose up and drilled a clutch three-pointer with seven seconds left, giving Ginebra a 101-100 lead and sending the pro-Ginebra crowd into a frenzy. Rain or Shine still had a chance to steal it back, but Adrian Nocum’s attempt in the final moments failed to connect, sealing a thrilling escape for the Kings.
Thompson finished with 16 points, half of which came in the fourth quarter, punctuated by the decisive triple that completed the rally. The win lifted Ginebra to a 6-4 record, keeping the crowd favorites firmly in the hunt for a Top Four finish and a coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
For Rain or Shine, the narrow loss dropped the Elasto Painters to 8-3, half a game behind San Miguel Beer in the race for the No. 1 spot. Still, they remain assured of a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals. The defeat, however, spoiled a balanced effort led by sophomore Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, who topped the Elasto Painters with 14 points.
Barangay Ginebra got solid contributions across the board, with Jamie Malonzo, Christian Standhardinger, and Japeth Aguilar all chipping in as the Kings leaned on composure and timely execution down the stretch. Rain or Shine, meanwhile, saw several players reach double figures, but the late-game misses proved costly in a contest that swung on a handful of crucial possessions.
Ginebra outscored Rain or Shine 37-23 in the final quarter to complete the dramatic turnaround and punch its ticket to the playoffs, closing the elimination round with momentum and belief firmly on its side.
Scores
Barangay Ginebra 102 – Abarrientos 25, Thompson 16, Holt 15, Torres 9, Aguilar 8, Gray 8, Cu 6, Rosario 6, Estil 5, David 4, Pinto 0.
Rain or Shine 100 – Pangilinan-Lemetti 14, Clarito 13, Nocum 13, Mamuyac 11, Tiongson 11, Santillan 10, Norwood 9, Asistio 7, Porter 5, Caracut 3, Belga 2, Malonzo 2.
Quarter scores: 23-18, 49-49, 65-77, 102-100.
