Gin Kings edge Bossing to catch quarters bus

MANILA, Philippines -- The PBA Governors’ Cup playoff picture is complete.

Barangay Ginebra stamped the final quarterfinal ticket after keeping its arm’s length from Blackwater, 101-96, Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. 

The Gin Kings finished the elimination round with a 5-5 win-loss record, same with the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

But with Ginebra’s superior quotient over Phoenix, the squad rose to third place in Group B. 

This placed the Gin Kings on a collision course with the No. 2 of Group A, the San Miguel Beermen, while the Fuel Masters dropped to fourth and will take on the NLEX Road Warriors. 

Jordan Murphy stood tall for Ginebra with 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Troy Rosario added 17 markers and four boards off the bench. 

Ginebra started the game off waxing hot, taking a double digit lead in the first that set the tone the rest of the way. 

The Gin Kings kept their foot on the gas through the third quarter, as they took an 87-72 lead heading to the fourth. 

And while Blackwater tried to claw back, Ginebra just had answer after answer. 

The Bossing sliced a lead that was as high as 20 points to just seven, 90-97, with 2:37 remaining. But a Ralph Cu jumper kept them at bay, 99-90, as triples by Jed Mendoza and Jack Cruz-Dumont late failed to move Blackwater to within striking distance. 

RJ Abarrientos added 14 points, three assists and two rebounds, while Jeremiah Gray had 11 points. Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar added 10 markers apiece in the win. 

Kentrell Barkley paced Blackwater with 16 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes and 36 seconds of play. Sedrick Barefield chipped in 12 markers in the loss. 

The quarterfinals will tip off on Sunday with NLEX taking on Phoenix at 5:15 p.m., and Magnolia tackling TNT at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be played at the same Antipolo venue.