By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
BARANGAY Ginebra took the life out of the Magnolia Hotshots, 106-80, as they advanced to the semifinals of the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Mark Barroca sparked the Hotshots early on with 7 quick points, dictating the pace as he and Jiovani Jalalon burned rubber running the court as they took a 9-2 lead in the opening canto.
After coach Tim Cone’s timeout, Ginebra surprisingly kept up with Magnolia’s pace, setting aside their half-court counter sets to close the gap.
Stanley Pringle and LA Tenorio sliced through Magnolia’s defense most of the time as the second quarter began, allowing the Gin Kings to quickly overtake the lead going into the second half, 47-39.
The Hotshots lost momentum at the start of the third, as Ginebra began crushing them defensively and offensively.
With just 4 minutes in the third, Ginebra’s 8-point half time lead ballooned to 17 points, 61-44.
After Ginebra’s blitzing run, Magnolia failed to match their firepower and intensity, especially Hotshots main gunner Paul Lee who was limited to 5 points, a far cry from his 24-point output in the first game
Ginebra is now awaiting the winner between TNT Katropa and Alaksa Aces.
SCORES:
GINEBRA – Brownlee 30, J. Aguilar 18, Tenorio 13, Caguioa 12, Pringle 11, Thompson 9, Devance 4, Slaughter 4
MAGNOLIA – Barroca 17, Christmas 15 Sangalang 12, Jalalon 8, Reavis 8, Lee 5, Herndon 5, Dela Rosa 3, Abundo 3
