Barangay Ginebra turned to center Greg Slaughter in the post to roll past Columbian Dyip, 97-85, and snap a two-game losing streak in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Dyip's small frontline had no answer for the seven-foot Slaughter, who finished with a conference-high 22 points to go along with 12 rebounds and five assists. Scottie Thompson backed him up with an all-around effort of nine points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
Joe Devance added 15, while Kevin Ferrer added 13 for Ginebra, which displayed more teamwork with 32 assists against Columbian's 16. The Kings also outrebounded the Dyip 59-37 as Slaughter and Thompson lorded it over the boards.
"We just wanted to be a defense-first team and we got back to the basics," said Slaughter. Ginebra last won on opening day on January 13 at the Philippine Arena against TNT.
Ginebra's defense indeed stood out, limiting Columbian to just 39% shooting from the field. The Dyip's 85 points was also way below their conference average of 108.
After a tight first period, the game opened up in the second. The Kings, behind Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and Art Dela Cruz, established the game's first double-digit lead at 43-31 with 6:30 to go in the second period. But Corpuz and rookie JP Calvo conspired in a 13-2 Columbian run to come to within one at 45-44. Then it was the turn of Ginebra to go on a run, dropping 10 unanswered points to close the first half with a 55-44 advantage.
Ginebra continued to pull away in the third period, outscoring the Dyip 21-15 to enter the payoff period with a 76-59 edge. Back-to-back baskets by Aljon Mariano to open the fourth gave the Kings an 80-61 lead, and Columbian could come no closer than 15 the rest of the way while the lead ballooned to as high as 20 points.
Rookie CJ Perez continued to impress, leading the Dyip with 25 points, while Corpuz added 20, but no other Columbian layer finished in double digits as the Dyip fell into a five-way logjam at 2-3.
THE SCORES
Ginebra 97 - Slaughter 22, Devance 15, Ferrer 13, Aguilar 11, Thompson 9, Mercado 9, Dela Cruz 7, Tenorio 5, Mariano 4, Chan 2, Caperal 0, Teodoro 0.
Columbian 85 - Perez 25, Corpuz 20, Camson 9, Khobuntin 7, Agovida 6, McCarthy 5, Reyes 5, Faundo 4, Gabriel 2, Calvo 2, Cahilig 0, Cabrera 0, Escoto 0.
Quarters: 27-24, 55-44, 76-59, 97-85.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
- Japeth Aguilar left the game late in the second quarter with a right ankle injury. He had his ankle taped in the locker room and eventually returned to the bench, but did not enter the game anymore. He finished with 11 points.
- LA Tenorio played his 595th straight game, just one shy of tying Alvin Patrimonio's iron man streak.
- Rashawn McCarthy had a miserable night on offense, finishing with just five points on 2 of 10 shooting. He also missed all his four free throw attempts.
NEXT GAMES
Ginebra - vs. Blackwater on Feb. 9 in Digos
Columbian - vs. Alaska on Feb. 6 at Mall of Asia Arena