Barangay Ginebra San Miguel continued to assert its dominance in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup with a convincing 119-112 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Friday night at the PhilSports Arena. The Gin Kings’ strong showing marked their second consecutive win and firmly placed them in the upper tier of the standings.
Explosive Middle Quarters Set the Tone
Ginebra turned up the heat in the second and third quarters, unleashing a commanding 68-45 run that put them comfortably ahead. This offensive explosion built on their previous 85-66 rout of Converge and pushed their overall record to 4-2, tying them with San Miguel Beer for third place.
With this win, Ginebra leaped past Converge (5-3) and put distance between themselves and other mid-pack contenders.
Offensive Leaders Shine Bright
The Gin Kings had a well-balanced and potent attack, spearheaded by:
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RJ Abarrientos – 25 points
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Japeth Aguilar – 24 points
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Stephen Holt – 18 points (including 4 three-pointers)
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Scottie Thompson – 17 points and 13 assists (double-double)
Their high shooting accuracy — 58.8% from the field — was a key factor in establishing their dominance early and weathering a late Phoenix comeback.
Late Phoenix Rally Not Enough
Despite trailing by as much as 22 points (108-86), Phoenix fought back valiantly in the final minutes, outscoring Ginebra 40-27 in the fourth quarter. However, the Fuel Masters fell short of a complete turnaround, suffering their second straight loss and dropping to 2-5, currently sitting at ninth place.
Jason Perkins led Phoenix with 28 points, but his efforts couldn’t prevent the team from slipping further away from playoff contention.
Coach Tim Cone Reflects on Performance
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone praised his team’s performance but acknowledged a slight lapse toward the end:
“I thought we played an absolutely fantastic game… until the last four, three minutes with the second group, and that got a little sloppy. But aside from that, we played a really good game on both sides of the ball.”
Cone emphasized the team’s unselfishness and ball movement, pointing out that they recorded 20 assists on 20 made field goals in the first half — a clear sign of the cohesive chemistry developing within the squad.
Momentum and Morale Boost for Ginebra
This marks the first back-to-back win for Ginebra in the All-Filipino conference — a momentum-building achievement that bodes well for their playoff campaign. With the team improving in both offense and teamwork, Coach Cone and the Gin Kings appear well-positioned for a deep run in the tournament.
What’s Next?
As Ginebra looks ahead to tougher matchups, their current form suggests they are peaking at the right time. Meanwhile, Phoenix will need to regroup quickly if they hope to crack the Magic 8 and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Key Takeaways
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Ginebra improves to 4-2, tied with San Miguel in the standings.
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Strong middle quarters and efficient ball movement proved decisive.
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Scottie Thompson notched a double-double with 17 points and 13 assists.
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Jason Perkins’ 28 points were not enough to lift Phoenix from a two-game skid.
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Ginebra records their first back-to-back wins in the conference.
With key players stepping up and team chemistry hitting its stride, Barangay Ginebra is making a clear statement this season. Their latest victory over Phoenix not only solidifies their place in the Top 4 but also signals that the Gin Kings are ready to reclaim championship glory.
Stay tuned as the PBA Philippine Cup heats up!
The Scores :
GINEBRA 119 – Abarrientos 25, J.Aguilar 24, Holt 18, Thompson 17, Malonzo 15, Rosario 8, Pessumal 6, Cu 3, Adamos 2, R. Aguilar 1, David 0, Pinto 0, Mariano 0.
PHOENIX 112- Perkins 28, Jazul 18, Tuffin 17, Tio 15, Ballungay 12, Garcia 6, Verano 6, Alejandro 3, Manganti 3, Ular 2, Soyud 2, Rivero 0, Cullar 0, Camacho 0.
QUARTERS: 24-27, 59-50, 92, 72, 119-112