MANILA, Philippines – When the Barangay Ginebra Kings defeated the Magnolia Hotshots in the Manila Clasico at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, they gave their devoted supporters a stunning Christmas present. Scottie Thompson’s remarkable three-pointer at the buzzer helped the Kings overcome a 22-point deficit and win an exciting 95-92 game.

In addition to showcasing the Kings’ renowned “never-say-die” mentality, this arduous victory put them in sole fifth place in the rankings with a 4-2 record, putting them in a strong position going into the Christmas break. The Kings overcame a prior loss to record their fifth victory in seven encounters with the Hotshots, making the triumph particularly significant.

Ginebra had a wild game since the Hotshots dominated early on, jumping out to a 6-2 lead and holding it for the majority of the match. But because to a spectacular three-point shooting effort in the closing minutes, the Kings put up a valiant second-half rally.

A 92-all deadlock was broken in the final seconds when Thompson, who had previously struggled from beyond the arc, made the game-winning three-pointer. His shot completed an incredible comeback and gave coach Tim Cone’s team the win.

The Kings’ dependable import, Justin Brownlee, spearheaded the offensive attack with 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while making a remarkable five-of-six from beyond the arc. Critical help was given by RJ Abarrientos, who finished with 20 points, five assists, three steals, one block, and five three-pointers.

Troy Rosario, who took on the difficult chore of defending Magnolia immigrant Ricardo Ratliffe, also had a strong performance, dishing out 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. In addition to his game-winning basket, Thompson’s 14 points, five rebounds, and six assists showed his versatility.

Japeth Aguilar, who just recovered from a groin injury, contributed three rebounds and eight points, giving the team much-needed paint time.

Even though the Hotshots’ main players played well, the team suffered a devastating defeat. With Ricardo Ratliffe leading the team’s inside game, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, and Ratliffe all scored at least eleven points. Magnolia was unable to maintain their significant lead, though, as Ginebra’s late-game three-point assault was difficult to stop.

The Hotshots were able to control the tempo and hold the Kings at bay because of their well-balanced offensive and defensive strategies. But when Ginebra started to cut into the lead in the third quarter, the game took a dramatic turn, paving the path for their incredible comeback in the fourth quarter.

Abarrientos and Maverick Ahanmisi both made three-pointers in quick succession to spark Ginebra’s comeback and give the squad a boost in the closing minutes of the game. After that, Brownlee grabbed control and tied the game with consecutive triples before Thompson struck the game-winning basket.

This triumph not only demonstrated Ginebra’s tenacity but also the group’s capacity to function well under duress. Magnolia was unable to hold up against the Kings’ well-balanced effort, which was driven by their core players and supported by timely contributions from their bench.

The defeat was a squandered chance for Magnolia to move up the standings and earn a victory that would have lifted their spirits before the break. Although they had a great start, the squad struggled in the dying minutes and was unable to stop Ginebra’s barrage of three-pointers.

The outcome adds a new chapter to the two teams’ legendary rivalry, with Ginebra showcasing its ability to perform well under pressure once more. The victory also provides the Kings with momentum as they get ready for their upcoming Commissioner’s Cup assignments, while Magnolia will try to get back on track and deal with the problems that caused them to fall apart.

Sores at the end of the Match

Ginebra 95
Individual scores: Brownlee 28, Abarrientos 20, Rosario 15, Thompson 14, Aguilar 8, Holt 5, Ahanmisi 5, Tenorio 0, Cu 0, Mariano 0.

Magnolia 92

Individual scores:  Ratliffe 17, Barroca 13, Lee 11, Sangalang 11, Lucero 8, Dela Rosa 8, Balanza 7, Dionisio 6, Lastimosa 6, Abueva 5, Ahanmisi 0.

Scores per quarter

24-30, 41-55, 67-78, 95-92