(PBA Images)
BARANGAY Ginebra was on target versus NorthPort in a big turnaround from its bad shooting night opposite San Miguel Beer the last time out.
The Ginebra gunners banged away eight three-pointers just in the opening quarter and finished with a total of 17 out of 32 tries in blowing away the Batang Pier, 131-106, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig Wednesday.
RJ Abarrientos top scored with 27 points, counting six triples, while newly reactivated Jayson David pumped in 25 including a perfect 4-of-4 clip from the arc as the Kings rebounded from a 93-104 loss to the Beermen and improved to 2-1 in the season-ending tourney.
Stephen Holt and Jamie Malonzo had their bombs from afar, fueling their early breakaway en route to handing the Batang Pier their third loss in a row after a triumphant conference debut over the Terrafirma Dyip.
Interestingly, the Kings were 8-of-11 from deep as they blasted the Batang Pier, 40-24, in the opening frame. Versus the Beermen, the Kings bled for 1-of-8 in the first half.
The Batang Pier couldn’t find an answer especially while playing sans top gun Arvin Tolentino.
Minus the Commissioner’s Cup BPC winner, NorthPort was led by Wil Navarro with 19 as Sidney Onwubere added 17.
For the Kings, all starters, except Scottie Thompson, scored in double figures with Holt making 17, Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario tallying 15 apiece and Malonzo chipping in 14.
Abarrientos and David sizzled coming off the bench for the Kings who dominated the crippled Batang Pier, leading by as many as 34.
The Kings had had 10 treys by halftime, taking a 70-43 spread going to the break.
The scores:
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Ginebra 131 – Abarrientos 27, David 25, Holt 17, J. Aguilar 15, Rosario 15, Malonzo 14, Ahanmisi 7, Cu 6, Pinto 2, Thompson 2, Mariano 1, Adamos 0, Pessumal 0, R. Aguilar 0.
NorthPort 106 – Navarro 19, Onwubere 17, Nava 14, Jalalon 11, Munzon 10, Flores 10, Taha 8, Bulanadi 8, Cuntapay 3, Miranda 2, Kwekuteye 2, Nelle 2, Yu 0.
Quarterscores: 40-24, 70-43, 95-72, 131-106