Ginebra is back in the win column.
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is back in the win column after their close 107-102 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Coming off their stinging defeat against the Magnolia Hotshots, Ginebra saw themselves in a back-and-forth affair against the slumping Elasto Painters.
Rain or Shine, who have yet to secure a victory in the new conference, managed to keep Ginebra at bay for most of the match.
However, late in the fourth quarter, Maverick Ahanmisi knocked down a huge three-pointer with 54 seconds remaining in the clock to give Ginebra enough space to secure the victory over Rain or Shine.
This for coach Tim Cone was what decided the game between the two squads.
"We knew we had to come up with the zone and set Scottie (Thompson) up in the middle of the zone. He’s such a great facilitator against the zone in that position, and he found the right guy, the guy sitting next to me (Maverick). That was the shot of the game,” Cone said during the post-game press conference.
“I just take what's given to us. Coach (Tim) drew up a play, knew what defense that we're gonna come out with and Scottie is a good facilitator in the middle, so I just had an opportunity when he passed it back to me and I just had to take it,” Ahanmisi added.
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Ahanmisi finished the game with a near triple-double of 21 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Tony Bishop, meanwhile, added 25 points, while Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar added 19 and 13 markers, respectively.
Cone went on to credit Ahanmisi’s play during the match, but also gave props to coach Yeng Guiao.
"It was his (Ahanmisi's) shots all game long that kept us in the game," said Cone. "We didn’t play really well, but you gotta give credit where credit is due. Yeng Guiao’s team, they don’t allow you to play well."
With the win, Ginebra moves to a 2-1 standing in the conference, while Rain or Shine remains winless at 0-4
It will be a short break for Ginebra as they face the Blackwater Bossing on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Elasto Painters, meanwhile, will seek their first win against the San Miguel Beermen on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(CF)