Barangay Ginebra started the new year right and bright, clobbering San Miguel Beer, 93-81,in the resumption of the PBA Commissioner's Cup elims action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Troy Rosario was a big factor, stepping up and dishing out his best game in a Ginebra uniform as Justin Brownlee battled a minor ailment that caused him to miss their practice Saturday.
Then there were Stephen Holt, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos and Maverick Ahanmisi with their crucial contributions as the Kings came through with a follow-up to their Christmas Day 'Clasico' win and thus jacked up their record to 5-2.
The Beermen dropped to 3-4 while going 0-2 with import Babari Narcis.
"It's about the guys' hard work and preparation from Christmas Day onwards. And it's an important follow-up to our Magnolia win," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone on their sterling job.
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So impressive were the Kings on their effort on both ends, enabling them to lead by as many as 20 and, in the end, limit the Beermen 20 points off their average.
"The guys really came out and played great on the defensive side," said Cone who made special mention of Rosario's hustles.
"He's all over the floor. He hustled everywhere," said Cone of their new free-agent recruit, firing a game-high 22 points with 4-of-8 triples going with 10 rebounds and one block against three turnovers in 33 minutes of action.
"He represented our game well tonight," said Cone.
Though still under the weather on the eve of the match, Brownlee played a solid game with 19 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal. He had clutch baskets keeping the Beermen at bay in the fourth quarter.
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Holt also had timely conversions and wound up with 15 points as Aguilar put in 11 markers, eight boards and five assists while Thompson and Abarrientos chipped in eight points apiece.
The Kings unleashed a 31-15 salvo to shatter a 16-all count at the start of the second period and kept pushing to reach a lead as high as 20 at 54-34.
Brownlee and his teammates stayed on a roll ahead of their next big game against the pacesetting NorthPort Batang Pier on Jan. 8 at the PhilSports Arena. (SB)
The Scores:
GINEBRA 93 - Rosario 22, Brownlee 19, Holt 15, J.Aguilar 11, Thompson 8, Abarrientos 8, Ahanmisi 7, Cu 3, Adamos 0.
SAN MIGUEL 81 - Narcis 17, Perez 14, Tiongson 12, Fajardo 12, Cruz 9, Lassiter 6, Cahilig 6, Ross 3, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 0, Enciso 0.
QUARTERS : 16-16, 47-31, 66-50, 93-81.
