Ginebra spoils Bowles' return with huge win over Purefoods

By Carlo Pamintuan | Yahoo PH Sports – 3 hours ago


The Barangay Ginebra Kings got their second straight win of the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup after besting the skidding Purefoods Star Hotshots, 97-86, Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots got a much-needed shot in the arm with the arrival of Denzel Bowles but even this was not enough to stop the run of the rampaging Kings.

The diminutive Emman Monfort was the X-factor for Ginebra as he was named the Best Player of the Game with nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. He provided Ginebra with much-needed energy and even added a crucial basket down the stretch after Purefoods made a huge fourth quarter run.

Ginebra led by 14 points heading into the final quarter but this lead quickly dissipated. However, they regained their poise just in time to deal Purefoods their third straight loss.

Michael Dunigan scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Greg Slaughter added 19 points and eight rebounds.

Ginebra moves up to .500 with a 3-3 win-loss tally, just behind Purefoods at 4-3.

Bowles led the Hotshots with 31 points, however, he was not a big factor elsewhere as he only grabbed six rebounds while adding two assists, steals, and blocks. He also turned the ball over seven times in the contest.

Mark Barroca, Peter June Simon, and Joe Devance added 14 points each.

As Purefoods was without James Yap, Ginebra dominated for most of the match, leading for almost 45 minutes.

Facing a 14-point deficit to start the fourth, Mark Barroca started a fourth quarter rally for Purefoods. Joe Devance completed their comeback as he nailed back-to-back triples that knotted the score at 78 with less than five minutes left in the games. 

With the Purefoods supporters roaring, Ginebra head coach Ato Agustin called a timeout to calm his boys down. The Kings refused to break amidst the rally as they countered with a 6-0 run powered by Dunigan, Mark Caguioa, and Monfort.

After getting some separation, the Kings put the Hotshots away with steady free throw shooting down the stretch.

The Main Man: Even if Monfort was the named the Best Player of the Game, it was Dunigan who had the best numbers for Ginebra. The solid import was perfect from the free throw line late in the game to preserve Ginebra’s victory.

Honorable Mentions: Monfort filled the stat sheet for Ginebra to aid Dunigan while Slaughter and LA Tenorio combined to score 35 points.

Game Turning Point: Ginebra’s telling 6-0 run killed Purefoods’ momentum. With the Hotshots playing four bigs, Caguioa and Monfort found the openings on offense.

Stat of the Game: It could have been a much closer match but Purefoods only made 21 of their 36 free throw attempts while Ginebra converted 22 of their 24 freebies.

Next Games:

Ginebra versus Blackwater on Feb. 25 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum

Purefoods versus San Miguel Beer on March 1 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum

He Said It:

Ginebra head coach Ato Agustin. We did a good job specially with our defense and we were able toe execute plays. We start our offense with our big guys, that’s yung mga shooters namin, nagiging open sila.

The scores:

GINEBRA 96 - Dunigan 22, Slaughter 19, Tenorio 16, Aguilar 10, Baracael 10, Monfort 9, Caguioa 7, Yeo 3, Ababou 0.

PUREFOODS 87 - Bowles 31, Simon 14, Barroca 14, Devance 14, Mallari 6, Pingris 6, Taha 2, Melton 0, Reavis 0, Pennisi 0.

Quarter scores: 20-16, 45-38, 70-56, 96-87.

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