Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, BARANGAY Ginebra defeated NLEX, 119-91, to return to winning ways in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup.

Rebounding from their shocking 95-88 loss to Blackwater last Friday, the Gin Kings evened their record in Group B behind 26 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists from Stephen Holt, who had one of his best games since joining the team.

At the conclusion of their first round campaign in Group B, NLEX was reduced to 3-2 after defeating San Miguel 108-102 in overtime.

Maverick Ahanmisi finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Scottie Thompson scored 19 points on 7 of 10 field goal attempts. Justin Brownlee scored 13 points, pulled down seven boards, and disheveled nine assists, while RJ Abarrientos scored 19 points for the Gin Kings.

Barangay Ginebra was so dominant that early in the fourth quarter, it led by as much as 33 points, 100-67.

“I thought we played with a really good tempo tonight, and the other guys other than Justin stepped up, played aggressively, and looked for their shots especially Stephen, RJ, Scottie, and that puts the pressure off Justin,” stated Tim Cone, coach of Barangay Ginebra.

Myke Henry finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 7 turnovers while Robert Bolick finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The Scores

Barangay Ginebra 119 – Holt 26, Ahanmisi 20, Thompson 19, Abarrientos 19, Brownlee 13, J. Aguilar 13, Tenorio 3, Go 3, Garcia 0, Cu 0, Mariano 0.

NLEX 91 – Bolick 19, Henry 16, Herndon 15, Fajardo 14, Nermal 10, Nieto 8, Valdez 4, Rodger 3, Marcelo 2, Amer 0, Policarpio 0, Miranda 0.

Quarter scores: 36-23; 63-43; 92-64; 119-91.

Meanwhile, in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Blackwater defeated Phoenix 123-111 to win its second straight game. GEORGE King scored 44 points, Sedrick Barefield added 32, and the team won its second straight game.

The Bossing put up a tremendous follow-up to their shocking victory over Barangay Ginebra last Friday, improving to 2-3 (win-loss). King and Barefield delivered a deadly one-two punch.

At the 1:10 mark of the game, Barefield made a three-pointer to secure the victory and celebrated with another “Night Night” gesture.

King pulled down 13 rebounds for Blackwater to match new Phoenix import Brandone Francis’s 45 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, following his 33 points and 17 rebounds against Ginebra.

Fuelmasters’ loss was 0–4.

“We knew that the new import is going to come in and give them some life, give them some motivation the same way it did for us,” stated Jeff Cariaso, coach at Blackwater. “Him (King) stepped up and matched not just the points and all the numbers that Francis brought, but he matched the energy, defending, and doing all the things that we talked about in practice as part of the team,” Cariaso added.

Barefield shot 11 of 20 from the field, including four three-pointers, and added three rebounds and five assists.

Troy Rosario led Blackwater with 12 points and nine rebounds, while RK Ilagan contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

The Scores

Blackwater 123 – King 44, Barefield 32, Ilagan 14, Rosario 12, David 8, Escoto 6, Chua 4, Kwekuteye 3, Guinto 0, Mitchell 0, Montalbo 0, Suerte 0, Ponferrada 0.

Phoenix 111 – Francis 45, Perkins 29, Garcia 8, Manganti 7, Tio 5, Mocon 4, Ballungay 4, Muyang 3, Salado 2, Soyud 2, Rivero 2, Alejandro 0, Jazul 0, Daves 0, Tuffin 0, Verano 0.

Quarter scores: 27-23; 64-35; 103-84; 123-111.