Recap: Ginebra Gets First Win, Beats Meralco, 99-91; Rain Or Shine Hands Dyip 19th Straight Loss, 106-94

by Raymund Tamayo

Scottie Thompson (#9) bounced back from a dismal performance. Photo credit: PBA Images

Crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel breaks into the win column of the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup with a rousing 99-91 victory over the Meralco Bolts at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Justin Brownlee led the Kings at crunch time and finished with 34 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Reigning MVP Scottie Thompson bounced back from his opening night slump as he almost had a triple-double with 15 points, nine boards, nine assists, and three steals.

Head coach Tim Cone's squad finally regained their form after a 22-point defeat in the hands of Rain or Shine during their first game of the season. The Gin Kings are now 1-1.

“It was a little bit stunning (losing to Rain or Shine) and I think it provided us with a wake-up call,” said coach Tim Cone.

Guard Stanley Pringle also had an impressive night with 16 markers, shooting 54 percent from the field including a 4-of-7 clip from beyond the arc. Japeth Aguilar and newcomer Jamie Malonzo had 10 points each, as all of Ginebra's starters scored in double figures.

Christian Standhardinger came off the bench to scatter 10 points on 50% field goal shooting with four boards and two assists.

What an offensive rebound by Scottie! Jamie Malonzo finishes strong!

91-85 Ginebra with 2:02 to go. #PBAGameTayoDito pic.twitter.com/S3xei1iH2B

— PBA (@pbaconnect) October 2, 2022

Meralco, who played without Chris Newsome, drops to 0-2 for the season. Newsome suffered a calf injury in their 101-95 overtime loss to NorthPort last Friday.

Import Johnny O'Bryant scored 31 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for the Bolts. Aaron Black led the locals with 14 points, six boards, nine assists, and two steals.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine moves up to 2-1 after handing Terrafirma Dyip their 19th consecutive loss, 106-94, in the first game of the afternoon.

Import Steve Taylor Jr. posted huge numbers of 20 points and 24 boards with three assists, two steals, and three blocks, while local Gian Mamuyac had a break out game with 17 points in the second half to lead the Elasto Painters to their second straight win.

Mamuyac, who did not play in their rout of Ginebra last Wednesday because of a flu, also had five boards and two dimes. He only played a little over 15 minutes in the game and went 9-for-9 from the charity stripe.

Mamuyac steals it. Taylor finishes!

20-16 ROS, 2:41 1q #PBAGameTayoDito pic.twitter.com/XXxAcSq8rG

— PBA (@pbaconnect) October 2, 2022

Terrafirma was again led by import Lester Prosper with 20 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists. Veteran Alex Cabagnot had 14 points, six boards, and nine assists while former first overall pick Joshua Munzon contributed 11 points and three rebounds. Juami Tiongson scored 17 points off the bench.

"Delikado rin yung Terrafirma. They played three good quarters. Sa fourth quarter na lang bumigay," Guiao told reporters after the game. "I think malapit nang ma-break yung streak nila. Mabuti na lang hindi sa amin."

Here are the scores:

Rain or Shine 106 - Taylor Jr. 20, Mamuyac 17, Belga 12, Caracut 12, Santillan 8, Demusis 7, Torres 7, Nambatac 7, Nieto 5, Ponferrada 3, Ildefonso 3, Norwood 3, Asistio 2, Guinto 0.

Terrafirma 94 - Prosper 20, Tiongson 17, Cabagnot 14, Munzon 11, Gomez de Liano 7, Calvo 6, Mina 5, Balagasay 5, Camson 4, Cahilig 3, Gabayni 2, Javelona 0.

Quarterscores: 28-20; 54-49; 75-66; 106-94.

Ginebra 99 – Brownlee 34, Pringle 16, Thompson 15, J.Aguilar 10, Malonzo 10, Standhardinger 10, Tenorio 4, Pessumal 0.


Meralco 91 - O’Bryant 31, Maliksi 20, Black 14, Almazan 10, Pasaol 9, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Banchero 2, Caram 0, Hugnatan 0.

Quarterscores: 26-22; 49-41; 73-65; 99-91.