HERE comes Barangay Ginebra.
Entering the homestretch of the single-round-robin elims, the Gin Kings are hot on a four-game run and within striking distance of three leading teams in the race for the Top Two.
Keeping their sharpness in a return from a long break, the Kings rolled past the Blackwater Bossing, 98-84, to close in on an outright playoff entry in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
Their sharpness was in full display after the halftime huddle, with the Kings blasting the Bossing in the third period and going on to claim the victory that boosted their Top 2 drive.
For coach Tim Cone, it's yet another milestone added to his legendary tale. It's victory No. 1,000 for the twice-grand slam-winning mentor.
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"It's a real honor to say I did that, but it just goes to show that I'm old," said Cone, trying to downplay the feat.
"We'll definitely go for the 1,001st against TNT on Sunday. We'll enjoy for a moment then move on," Cone added.
It's a night of milestone not just for Cone but also for import Justin Brownlee, the very first among reinforcements to record 300 steals.
For the night, Brownlee got four steals to go with 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Ginebra improved to 6-2 while practically slamming the playoff door shut on Blackwater with its fifth straight loss and eighth overall in 11 outings.
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With their injury-hit lineup, the Bossing just couldn't keep up with a Ginebra side drawing double-digit outputs from five key players, including Jeremiah Gray with a 15-point breakout performance in a Gin King uniform.
Scottie Thompson, back from a recent Gilas duty in their games against Jordan and Saudi Arabia, was his usual relentless self, collecting 16 markers, eight boards and six dole-outs.
Off the bench, Jamie Malonzo and Christian Standhardinger chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively. (SB)
The Scores:
Ginebra 98 - Brownlee 17, Thompson 16, Gray 15, Malonzo 13, Standhardinger 10, Mariano 8, Pringle 7, J. Aguilar 5, Pessumal 3, Tenorio 2, Dillinger 2, Pinto 0, R. Aguilar 0, David 0.
Blackwater 84 - Ular 20, Jackson 14, Krutwig 11, Ayonayon 10, Banal 6, Suerte 6, Sena 6, Go 4, Dyke 4, Taha 3, Ebona 0, Melton 0.
Quarters: 27-22, 52-47, 75-58, 98-84
