sure win ph PBA: Scottie Thompson leads Ginebra past Meralco and closer to semis

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Scottie Thompson during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals game against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Barangay Ginebra banked on Scottie Thompson’s all-around play to get past Meralco, 100-92, in the opener of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-three quarterfinal series Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Thompson finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals as the Gin Kings withstood the stubborn Bolts in the second half to move closer towards a sixth straight semifinal appearance.

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Justin Brownlee also scored 23, and RJ Abarrientos knocked down crucial shots to back up Thompson’s offense-defense exploits to see off a Meralco side that twice took the lead in the fourth.

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals game against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Ginebra goes for the sweep Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) managed to hold on to the 7,000 level on the last trading day of the week, although it shed 0.03 percent, or 1.82 points, to close at 7,022.85.

“We are very glad to finally have the MAAC in full force in the Philippines. To fund our people’s growing needs, we need more tools like this to enhance our revenue-generating capacity,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement on Thursday.

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Brownlee added nine rebounds while Abarrientos came off the bench to finish with 14 points, four rebounds and six assists for Ginebra.

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LIVE: PBA Commissioner Cup Quarterfinals – Rain or Shine vs Converge, Meralco vs Ginebra

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Chris Newsome scored 20 and was instrumental during the back-and-forth stretch in the payoff period, but the Bolts ended up facing a must-win situation to force a decider.

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Newsome’s three with less than eight minutes to go gave Meralco an 87-85 lead before Ginebra went on a decisive turnaround to draw first blood in the latest playoff encounter between the old rivals.

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Import Akil Mitchell posted 19 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and three steals in his return after missing the final two games of the eliminations to rest his nagging back problem.

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