Abarrientos Shines as Kings Book Semis Clash with San Miguel Beermen
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings delivered a strong performance to defeat the Converge FiberXers, 88–80, in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, securing their place in the semifinals where they will face powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.
Rhon Jay Abarrientos Leads the Charge
Rhon Jay Abarrientos spearheaded Ginebra’s victory with an impressive all-around effort. The dynamic guard tallied 21 points, including two timely three-pointers, and contributed across the board with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. His performance energized the Gin Kings and proved instrumental in turning the tide after a slow start.
Balanced Support from Ginebra’s Core
Veteran forward Japeth Aguilar also played a pivotal role, posting a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. His presence in the paint provided both offensive punch and defensive stability. Ginebra’s depth was on full display as Jamie Malonzo (15 points), Stephen Holt (14 points), and Jeth Troy Rosario (10 points) each contributed key baskets that sustained the team’s momentum throughout the match.
Comeback Sparks in the Second Quarter
The game started in favor of Converge, who led 28–21 after the first quarter. However, Ginebra responded with poise and aggression in the second period. Big conversions from Abarrientos, Holt, and Aguilar shifted the momentum, allowing the Gin Kings to outscore Converge 28–13 in the second quarter and head into halftime with a 49–41 lead.
Holding Off a Converge Rally
In the second half, Ginebra continued to press its advantage, stretching the lead to as much as 16 points. Converge made a late push, trimming the gap to 66–73, but a technical free throw followed by a clutch basket from Abarrientos helped restore a 10-point cushion, effectively quelling the rally and securing the win.
Aguilar: Focused on the Bigger Challenge
While pleased with the team’s progress, Aguilar remained grounded after the win.
“I am proud of the growth we have shown so far this conference, but the job is not yet done since we will be facing a tough opponent in the semis,” he said in a post-game interview, referring to the upcoming showdown with the San Miguel Beermen.
FiberXers’ Effort Falls Short
Despite the loss, several Converge players had commendable outings. Justin Arana led the FiberXers with 15 points, while Justine Baltazar added 13. Alec Stockton and Deschon Winston chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively. However, their combined efforts fell short in the face of Ginebra’s balanced offensive execution and tight defense.
With this hard-fought win, Barangay Ginebra continues its campaign for another championship run, now preparing for a highly anticipated semifinal battle against the San Miguel Beermen—setting the stage for a classic clash between two of the PBA’s most storied franchises.
