Barangay Ginebra avoided a costly collapse and regained control down the stretch to escape with a 102-93 victory over Phoenix Super LPG on Sunday, November 16, before the league pauses for the next FIBA window. The win bolstered the Gin Kings’ shaky PBA Philippine Cup bid as they climbed into a tie for seventh with Meralco at 3-4.

RJ Abarrientos, Troy Rosario and Stephen Holt delivered in the clutch to halt Phoenix’s charge and restore momentum for a Ginebra side that had once led by 18 before suddenly trailing by eight. Their late poise steadied the Kings just as Phoenix threatened to steal the game.

Abarrientos sparks decisive turnaround

Abarrientos fired 25 points and drilled a crucial three-pointer that halted Phoenix’s surge and revived Ginebra’s offense when it sputtered. He added four assists and three rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench as the Kings overcame their previous loss to Converge.

Starters Scottie Thompson, Holt, Rosario, Jonathan Gray and Japeth Aguilar all scored in double figures to stabilize Ginebra’s attack. Thompson finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, along with six assists and three steals as he prepared to rejoin Gilas Pilipinas for national duty.

Phoenix rallies but falls short

Phoenix mounted a determined comeback behind Ricci Rivero, Jason Perkins, Kai Ballungay, Tyler Tio and Ken Tuffin, carving into Ginebra’s once-comfortable cushion. Rivero exploded for 28 points, hitting three triples in a high-effort performance that kept the Fuel Masters within striking distance.

But despite the surge, coach Willy Wilson’s team could not complete the comeback and remained outside the Magic Eight at 2-6 as the league heads into its break for Gilas Pilipinas’ upcoming qualifiers.