Scottie Thompson’s all-around game leads Ginebra to QF victory
Scottie Thompson tallied 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, five steals, and a block to lead Barangay Ginebra in defeating Meralco 100-92 in Game 1 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals duel last night, February 5, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Thompson was all-around the court scoring buckets, grabbing emphatic boards, dishing off important dimes, while deflecting opponent’s passes and protecting the rim.
Resident import Justin Brownlee added another 23 markers to help Thompson, while Japeth Aguilar contributed 19.
Rookie RJ Abarrientos was also instrumental to the win, as he produced 14 points on top of his six assists and four rebounds.
On the other hand, Chris Newsome paced Meralco with 20 markers, including two three-pointers, while import Akil Mitchell, who just returned in action after missing two games due to injury, added 19 points and 14 boards.
Jansen Rios, Chris Banchero, and Bong Quinto also scored in double-digits, supplying 13, 12, and 11, respectively.
Game 2 is set on Friday, February 7, 5:00 PM at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
If Ginebra wins that game, the Gin Kings will be already entering the semis, but if Meralco wins, the Bolts will force a sudden-death match on Sunday, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 100 - Brownlee 23, Thompson 23, J. Aguilar 19, Abarrientos 14, Rosario 8, Malonzo 7, Holt 6, Ahanmisi 0.
MERALCO 92 - Newsome 20, Mitchell 19, Rios 13, Banchero 12, Quinto 11, Almazan 8, Black 5, Hodge 4, Bates 0, Cansino 0.
Quarter Scores: 24-17, 50-47, 78-76, 100-92.
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