Everything clicked for Barangay Ginebra from start to finish as the Gin Kings drubbed Blackwater, 85-67, in the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos.
Ginebra capitalized on its size advantage with Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter leading the team in scoring. Aguilar finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while Slaughter had 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a pair of blocks.
Hometown hero Scottie Thompson also had a sterling outing on both ends, scattering 16 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. He also had six assists and two steals.
Kevin Ferrer added two three-pointers for a 16-point outing in close to 19 minutes of play.
Ginebra raced off to a 22-12 start. It was in the second period, though, where the Gin Kings really broke free and seized control to improve to a 3-2 win-loss record while adding to the woes of the Elite.
Ginebra turned a five-point lead into a blowout thanks in large part to Thompson's eight straight points capped by a pair of three-pointers to take a 13-point buffer, 34-21, with 4:21 left in the second period.
Slaughter then scored on a three-point play, before Aguilar capped the first half with a couple of free throws for an 18-point lead, 44-26.
It was all Ginebra from there, as the lead rose to as highas 24 points after a Kevin Ferrer three-pointer at the 8:03 mark of the fourth period, 77-53.
Blackwater was able to get to as close as 17 points at 79-62 but they just didn't have enough to complete a comeback.
The Elite, who are on a three-game tailspin with a 1-5 card, were paced by Mike DiGregorio and Joseph Erioubu, who had 14 points apiece.
Abu Tratter chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds, and five steals.
THE SCORES
Ginebra 85 - Aguilar 20, Slaughter 17, Thompson 16, Ferrer 14, Dela Cruz 5, Mercado 4, Caperal 3, Cruz 3, Chan 2, Mariano 1, Tenorio 0, R. Aguilar 0, Devance 0, Teodoro 0.
Blackwater 67 - Digregorio 14, Eriobu 14, Tratter 13, Desiderio 7, Palma 6, Sumang 4, Belo 3, Alolino 2, Sena 2, Jose 2, Jose 2, Cortez 0, Dario 0, Maliksi 0.
Quarterscores: 22-12, 44-28, 68-46, 85-67.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
-LA Tenorio wound up scoreless. But he made up for it with nine assists and four rebounds.
-Ginebra outscored Blackwater inside the pain, 50-32. Blackwater won in transition, though, scoring 18 points while Ginebra only had four fastbreak points.
NEXT GAMES
Ginebra - vs Alaska on March 3 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo
Blackwater - vs Alaska on February 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena