PBA: Ginebra frustrates Phoenix to bag second straight win

Barangay Ginebra displayed balanced offense to add to Phoenix Super LPG’s woes, 102-92, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jamie Malonzo picked up where he left off, erupting for a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds alongside two assists and one block to follow up his career-game 32-point outburst last game and help the Gin Kings improve to 2-0. 

The Fuel Masters, meanwhile, fell to a 0-2 hole. 

Malonzo received ample help from the rest of the crew with Stanley Pringle burying three triples to finish with 13 points off the bench while Nards Pinto, Ralph Cu, and Christian Standhardinger chipped in 12 markers apiece. 

A Pringle jumper halfway through the payoff period allowed Ginebra to turn a 47-43 halftime cushion to its biggest lead at 19, 64-83.

The Fuel Masters, who are trying to prove their semifinals appearance last conference was no fluke, then staged a mini rally with Javee Mocon and JJ Alejandro pulling them to within 11, 88-99, with two minutes left on the clock.

However, the Fuel Masters ran out of gas in the home stretch as Ginebra picked up its second win in as many games. 

Jason Perkins led Phoenix with a team-high 14 points while Mocon chimed in with 13 markers. 

Scores:

Ginebra 102 – Malonzo 17, Pringle 13, Cu 12, Pinto 12, Standhardinger 12, J.Aguilar 9, Ahanmisi 7, Pessumal 6, David 5, Onwubere 5, Tenorio 4, Gumaru 0, R.Aguilar 0.

Phoenix 92 – Perkins 14, Mocon 13, Manganti 11, Tuffin 10, Garcia 9, Jazul 8, Rivero 7, Soyud 6, Muyang 4, Lalata 4, Alejandro 4, Daves 2, Verano 2, Camacho 2.

Quarters: 23-24, 47-43, 79-62, 102-92.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News