Stephen Holt find rhythm, leads Ginebra to victory
Barangay Ginebra walloped NLEX, 119-91, on Tuesday to get back on winning track in the 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Coming from a 95-88 upset by Blackwater, Ginebra fired on all cylinders in the first half with a 60-percent clip from the field and ended it with a 63-41 lead.
Stephen Holt played his best game as a Gin King, leading the team in scoring with 26 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing off six assists.
Maverick Ahanmisi added 20 markers for the team while Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos also played their best game for the conference by producing 19 points each in helping the Gin Kings evened their record at 2-2 in Group B.
Resident import Justine Brownlee put up only 13 markers in 38 minutes of play but still grabbed seven boards and dished nine dimes.
"I thought we played a really good tempo. The other guys outside Justin Brownlee played aggressively and looked for their shot, and they took some pressure off Justin," said Cone.
"I also thought NLEX's a little tired from their out-of-town game where they won in overtime," the Ginebra coach added.
Meanwhile, NLEX couldn't keep up with the searing pace set by the Gin Kings, suffering a blowout four days after a 112-108 shock overtime win over the San Miguel Beermen in Cagayan de Oro.
NLEX main man Robert Bolick still managed to fire away 19 points, five rebounds, and seven assists while Myke Henry was limited to only 16 points but still collared eight rebounds and registered seven assists. Henry also committed seven turnovers that might be a result of fatigue and Gin Kings suffocating defense against him.
Robbie Herdon added 15 while Dominick Fajardo registered 14 and Jhan Nermal 10 for the Road Warriors.
The Scores :
GINEBRA 119 - Holt 26, Ahanmisi 20, Thompson 19, Abarrientos 19, Brownlee 13, Aguilar 13, Pinto 3, Tenorio 3, Go 3, Mariano 0, Cu 0, Garcia 0.
NLEX 91 - Bolick 19, Henry 16, Herndon 15, Fahardo 14, Nermal 10, Nieto 8, Valdez 4, Rodger 3, Marcelo 2, Miranda 0, Policarpio 0, Amer 0.
QUARTERS: 36-23, 63-43, 92-64, 119-91.
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But before the Playoffs begin, four remaining spots are still up for grabs through the Play-In Tournament.
In the Western Conference, the No. 9 seed Sacramento Kings will take on the No. 10 seed Dallas Mavericks, while the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors will battle the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies.
The winner of the 9-vs-10 matchup will then face the loser of the 7-vs-8 game for the right to claim the No. 8 seed in the Playoffs, earning a showdown with the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.
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(3) LA Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
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