Barangay Ginebra San Miguel needed a late run to fend off a pesky Blackwater Elite squad, 98-81, as it stretched its winning streak to seven games in the Oppo PBA Governors’s Cup Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Greg Slaughter led the way with 22 points and eight boards as the Gin Kings improved to 7-1 to strengthen their grip of the No.1 spot.
Justin Brownlee added 17 points, 13 rebounds and six dimes as LA Tenorio chipped in 16 points and five assists.
The Gin Kings seemed on their way to a blowout early after starting the game with a 15-2 run.
But the Elite had a quick counter, dropping their own 15-0 bomb ignited by Henry Walker’s hot shooting to take the lead.
Blackwater sat on the driver’s seat as Walker carried his team with 19 points in the first half.
But Ginebra regained its form just in time. After a 75-all tie in the fourth quarter, the Gin Kings scored 10 straight points sparked by Tenorio to regain a double-digit advantage.
Blackwater suddenly couldn’t hit any baskets as Tenorio and the rest of Ginebra continued to pounce on the Elite to post the big winning margin.
Walker finished the game with 26 points and 17 rebounds to lead Blackwater (4-5).
Only Dave Marcelo, who scored four points and four rebounds in his Elite debut, got minutes among the players involved in a recent trade involving the two teams.
Chris Ellis, now with Blackwater, didn’t suit up due to illness. Raymond Aguilar (coach’s decision) and Art Dela Cruz (injury), both new members of Ginebra, also didn’t see action.
The scores:
GINEBRA 98 – Slaughter 22, Brownlee 17, Tenorio 16, Devance 15, Aguilar 10, Ferrer 7, Caguioa 6, Thompson 4, Mercado 1.
BLACKWATER 81 – Walker 26, Digregorio 12, Sumang 12, Pinto 8, Erram 6, Canaleta 6, Gamalinda 5, Marcelo 4, Sena 2, Belo 0.
Quarters: 23-24, 45-48, 69-71, 98-81.
