Barangay Ginebra continued to hit its stride in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, demolishing Mahindra, 104-86, on Wednesday night before a huge crowd at the Ynares Center.
Playing in a virtual home court, the Gin Kings got off to a blistering start and refused to let up as they rolled to their third straight victory.
Othyus Jeffers and LA Tenorio sustained their fine play, while Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar shone on both ends anew for the Gin Kings, who snapped the Enforcers’ two-game winning streak to tie their victims in third spot with a 3-2 win-loss record.
“We really came together today,” Gin Kings coach Tim Cone said. “We’re trying to create some momentum.”
Jeffers registered 24 points, 13 boards, and seven assists in 35 minutes, while Tenorio also put up an all-around performance with 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds in 28 minutes after playing the hero’s role in Ginebra’s win over Star last Sunday.
Slaughter and Aguilar delivered double-digit scoring performances as well, but it was the twin towers’ work on the defensive that proved more of a factor as they took turns in defending Enforcers import Augustus Gilchrist.
The 6-foot-10 American slotman, after scoring 30 points last Friday, was held to just 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting, although he did have 13 boards, two steals, one block, and one assist.
Niño Canaleta carried most of the load for Mahindra as he was on target with five three-pointers en route to scoring 22 points, but his team failed to stop a Ginebra side that was clicking on all cylinders and led by as many as 21 points.
The scores:
Ginebra 104 – Jeffers 24, Tenorio 15, Aguilar 14, Devance 12, Slaughter 12, Mercado 7, Ellis 6, Thompson 5, Caguioa 3, Cruz 2, Marcelo 2, Salva 2, Helterbrand 0
Mahindra 86 – Canaleta 22, Gilchrist 18, Revilla 11, Ramos 8, Yee 8, Bagatsing 5, Dehesa 5, Pascual 4, Hubalde 3, Guinto 2, Digregorio 0, Jaime 0, Pinto 0, Webb 0
Quarterscores: 22-13, 46-29, 72-62, 104-86