Barangay Ginebra powered through fatigue and delivered another crucial victory, overcoming Phoenix Super LPG in a demanding back-to-back stretch in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The win highlighted the team’s depth and ability to respond under tight scheduling conditions.

The Gin Kings secured a 109-96 victory on Sunday, April 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, just 48 hours after a narrow win over Magnolia. The result pushed them to a 4-2 record, good for solo fourth place in the standings.

Despite signs of sluggishness early, Ginebra managed to stay within striking distance before finding its rhythm late. The team’s ability to recover from a slow start proved crucial in sustaining momentum throughout the contest.

Bench spark fuels fourth-quarter takeover

Head coach Tim Cone pointed to the second unit as the turning point, crediting the bench for injecting energy when the starters struggled. Their contributions allowed the main players to rest and regain composure for the closing stretch.

“It’s a great win coming off a tough Magnolia game,” said Cone, as he emphasized the difficulty of playing back-to-back contests with minimal recovery time.

Ralph Cu, Sonny Gray, and Nard Pinto provided the needed lift, helping stabilize the team during key moments. Their presence allowed Ginebra to reset before unleashing a strong finishing push in the fourth quarter.

Late surge seals win despite Phoenix resistance

With fresh legs in the final period, Ginebra’s core players took control and executed on both ends of the floor. Justin Brownlee, RJ Abarrientos, and Scottie Thompson led the charge to break open a tight contest.

Brownlee finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, and five assists despite a quiet first half. Abarrientos added 28 points behind seven three-pointers, while Thompson and Stephen Holt chipped in 17 and 13, respectively.

Phoenix stayed competitive for most of the game, relying on outside shooting to keep pace with Ginebra. However, the Fuel Masters slowed down late as the Gin Kings capitalized on their depth and conditioning advantage.

The win gave Ginebra a valuable five-day break, providing much-needed recovery time as the Commissioner’s Cup schedule continues. With momentum on their side, the Gin Kings look to build on their position in the standings.