Justine Brownlee gestures after making a shot in Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ victory over the Rain or Shine Elastopainters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA images
In the eyes of Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone, Wednesday’s rain-or-sun rout marked the first time his Kings Gin played accurately in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup that also signified a piece of history of the league.
“We haven’t put together a good game this conference, and tonight is one of those games where everyone came together,” Cone said after the 120-92 victory at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City that also cemented the Gin Kings’ place in the quarterfinals for a record 47th consecutive conference.
Article continues after this ad
Ginebra improved to 7-4 with a game remaining against Meralco on January 29 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, needing a win to at least move into the top six and avoid being placed in a two-game scenario. towards gain.
Led by Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson and Troy Rosario, the Kings were atoned for last week’s 91-86 loss to TNT Tropang Giga in a rematch of the Governors Cup Finals showdown that dropped Ginebra from the second to the seventh.
“(This rain or shine win) was our best game in the conference, and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Cone said. “Everything came together (for us), and I hope we can continue.
Article continues after this ad
“I don’t expect us to play like that all night, but if we keep that kind of focus, we have a good chance of winning games.”
Beating rain or shine by never trailing, Ginebra created complications not only in the race for the quarterfinal berths, but also the seedings for the top two and the bonus twice towards the beat and the best machines at under third through sixth to sixth Placers after eliminations.
Converge will look to end the eliminations on a winning note and gain a momentary hold on the solo lead Friday against San Miguel Beer, still at Ynares in Antipolo at 7:30 p.m.
The Fiberxers are currently tied for the lead with Northport Batang Pier at 8-3.
Meralco is tied at 7-3 with visiting team Hong Kong Eastern, followed by TNT with a 6-3 record after a 117-108 shocker against a previously winless Terrafirma.
TNT will look to bounce back and officially secure its spot in the quarters also Friday at 5 p.m. against Phoenix, who is all but out of playoff contention with Blackwater at 3-8.
Desperate Beermen
Ginebra is sixth, while rain or shine fell to seventh at 6-4, with two to play against NLEX on Saturday and TNT on January 31. San Miguel, meanwhile, is in a three-way tie for eighth with Nlex and Magnolia at 4-6.
San Miguel is desperate for a win Friday night in a contest that features an intriguing match between Beermen star June Mar Fajardo and Fiberxers rookie Justine Baltazar.
Ginebra has been on something of a roller coaster this conference, opening the playoffs with two straight wins before going 1-2 in its next three games.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
After back-to-back wins over sister teams Magnolia and San Miguel Beer, the trend continued for Ginebra with a loss to Northport, a 23-point game from Blackwater before that setback at TNT.
