Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim Cone said that he was proud of his team for stepping up in their 2020 PBA Philippine Cup playoff-clinching 112-100 win against the NorthPort Batang Pier on Wednesday evening at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center.
With the explosive guard Stanley Pringle leading the way with his 17 points, eight different Gin Kings scored in double-figures, which Cone explained was the result of them taking advantage of NorthPort's zone defense.
"Because they were playing zone most of the game, probably 75% of the game zone, then 25% man-to-man, and so zone is all about ball movement and taking shots presented to you," said Cone in the walk-off interview.
"I think everybody got involved because we were making multiple passes. After the first quarter, we started cutting through the zone and it opened up things for us," he added.
NorthPort actually raced to a 10-point spread in the first quarter, 23-13, after Kevin Ferrer nailed his third consecutive triple. The team led 29-23 after the opening chapter.
In the second period, Ginebra responded with a run to go ahead 33-32, following Aljon Mariano's layup at the 7:39 mark.
NorthPort was then able to muster nine straight points capped off by a Garvo Lanete triple. Unfazed, the Gin Kings dropped a 14-4 bomb to take a 57-48 lead at intermission.
After Renzo Subido canned a triple to trim the gap to one, 66-65 at the 6:51 mark, Ginebra outscored their opponents 18-10 the rest of the way for an 84-75 lead heading to the fourth.
The Gin Kings' advantage in the closing quarter swelled to as large as 19, 98-79, after Japeth Aguilar knocked down two from the line.
NorthPort was able to slice their opponent's lead to eight, 102-94, with 3:25 remaining, but Ginebra fired back with timely baskets to put the finishing touches.
Christian Standhardinger and Kevin Ferrer both scored 23 apiece for the now 1-6 Batang Pier. The Fil-German was able to add 11 rebounds, while Ferrer was able to connect on seven three-pointers.
With their showdown for the top spot against the TNT Tropang Giga on Friday looming, Cone believes that the game will be played with a different approach.
"We're not really worried about top seed. We're worried about the top four. That's what we're trying to do. Tonight's game was really crucial for that top four spot. We're just looking at TNT as a team that's in front of us head-to-head, and we need to beat. If we beat them, that gives us a better chance at the top four," mentioned the veteran coach.
THE SCORES
Ginebra (112) -- Pringle 17, Mariano 15, Tenorio 13, Aguilar 13, Devance 12, Thomson 11, Caperal 11, Chan 10, Dillinger 5, Balanza 5, Salado 0, Tolentino 0, Dela Cruz 0, Aguilar 0, Caguioa 0.
NorthPort (100) -- Standhardinger 23, Ferrer 23, Lanete 19, Subido 15, Taha 9, Nabong 5, Cruz 4, Manganti 2, Elorde 0, Anthony 0, Grey 0, Revilla 0, Guinto 0.
Quarter Scores: 23-29, 57-48, 84-75, 112-100.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
- Ginebra dished out a season-high 37 assists.
- NorthPort's 17 triples tied a season-best mark.
UP NEXT
Ginebra vs TNT on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6:45 p.m.
NorthPort vs Alaska on Friday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m.