Gin Kings one win away

MANILA, Philippines — Strike back for San Miguel Beer? No, make it a second strike for Barangay Ginebra.

Clicking on all cylinders, the Gin Kings stifled the Beermen anew, 126-99, to move a win away from a 3-0 sweep of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

In Justin Brownlee-esque numbers, Ginebra import Jordan Murphy turned in a near triple- double of 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to go with two steals to lead the crowd darlings’ efforts in replicating their winning performance in Game 1 (104-95).

This put the troops of coach Tim Cone on the doorstep of the best-of-five semifinals with a golden chance to close it out in Game 3 in Dasmariñas, Cavite Tuesday.

“Everyone is as surprised as I am about this. We didn’t dream we’d be able to get out even, 1-1, much less 2-0,” said Cone.

“We’re definitely on a roll. Our offense is clicking and guys are locked in defensively and we just try to keep the pressure on San Miguel, keep attacking, keep going at them and so far it’s working,” he added.

RJ Abarrientos rifled in 22 markers spiked by four treys. Stephen Holt delivered his best offensive game of the series with 19 highlighted by a 5-of-6 clip from the three – all while serving duties as one of the team’s main defensive stoppers against SMB import George King (only 13 points).

Scottie Thompson had 12 markers and 11 dimes with seven boards.

A team that struggled to make the playoffs, Ginebra is now in striking position for the F4.

And Cone gave Murphy, who helped the Gin Kings secure a playoffs stint with a 3-1 record at the end of group play, much of the credit.

Later, Converge got back at Rain or Shine, 130-125, to force a 1-1 standoff in their side of the Last-8.

The FiberXers blew a 15-point upperhand but regrouped to put together the vital bounceback to their 120-124 opening loss.