By: REYNALD MAGALLON
The Barangay Ginebra reserves led by Nards Pinto have finally embraced the spotlight and delivered their first victory in the PBA on Tour after shooting down Phoenix, 95-89, on Wednesday, June 14, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Kings, minus their stars in Christian Standhardinger, LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo, leaned on their usual bench players to pick up their first win after opening the exhibition tournament with two losses.
Pinto showed the way for the crowd darlings, finishing with 22 points while Aljun Mariano added 18 points.
Seldom-used Raymond Aguilar and Jayson David also contributed 15 points apiece as the Kings seized control of the contest in the second half after a tight first two quarters.
Pinto and Mariano actually joined hands in that third quarter Ginebra storm, combining for 14 of the team’s 31 points to take a double-digit advantage, 78-68, heading into the final frame.
The Fuel Masters though managed to keep themselves within striking distance in the fourth quarter but couldn’t find the extra gear to their fight and break Ginebra’s five-point barrier.
Phoenix actually threatened within five points twice in the final three minutes of the contest, the last an 86-91 deficit with 1:44 left. The runs however were only proven to be short-lived with both David and Aguilar delivering crucial baskets to keep the Fuel Masters at bay until the final buzzer.
RJ Jazul led Phoenix with 18 points while Reden Celda added 17 although those were not enough as the Tyler Tio-less Fuel Masters absorbed their third straight loss after opening the tournament with two wins.
Meantime,
Rashawn McCarthy exploded for 30 points and steadied the ship for Blackwater against a Justin Arana-led Converge, 102-97, to get back on the winning track.
McCarthy found his rhythm in the second half and unloaded 22 of his total including the dagger hits that all but slammed the door on the FiberXers comeback which rode the broad shoulders of Arana who likewise erupted for 32 points and 17 rebounds.
McCarthy nailed a total of five triples – none bigger than the last one he drilled that gave the Bossing a nine-point cushion, 96-87, with 2:57 left, enough to weather even a last ditch rally from the FiberXers.
He also made a tough fadeaway jumper over the outstretched arms of Kevin Racal before Baser Amer iced the game with a pair of free throws.
Amer and Rey Suerte provided support to McCarthy, both finishing with 12 points as the Bossing improved to a 3-2 record in the standings.
