MANILA — The Barangay Ginebra Kings finally solved the Phoenix riddle, blasting the Fuel Masters, 105-92, Wednesday night in the PBA Governors’ Cup, finally winning against a team that had defeated them twice this season.
Their fifth straight victory after an opening game loss allowed the Kings to gain a share of the lead with the Meralco Bolts. On the other hand, the Fuel Masters continued their free fall with their seventh straight defeat after starting the conference with a 2-0 mark.
The quadruple towers of Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar Joe Devance and Justin Brownlee overwhelmed the Fuel Masters, who had no answer for their vaunted offensive and defensive might. Brownlee led Ginebra with 24 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks. Aguilar poured 19 markers, 15 of them in the first half, on top of 13 boards and four blocks. Slaughter and Devance added 14 points apiece, with the two combining for 18 rebounds.
The Kings broke the game wide open in the third quarter when they outscored the Fuel Masters 32-18 to take a 17-point lead, 85-68, entering the final quarter.
The closest Phoenix could come was at 13 points, 77-90. But Brownlee and Slaughter quickly struck back to put an end to the Fuel Masters’ uprising.
Import Brandon Brown led Phoenix with 26 points and 18 boards. Matthew Wright added 21 markers that meant nothing in the end.
TNT KaTropa 117, Blackwater 96
The TNT Katropa Texters asserted their mastery over the Blackwater Elite with a 117-96 victory as Glen Rice Jr. continued to make waves for TNT.
The victory was the fourth in six games for the Texters. Since it entered the league in 2014, Blackwater has not yet won a game against TNT. The loss also snapped Blackwater’s three-game winning streak as the Elite dropped to a 3-4 mark.
Rice led the Texters with 31 points along with seven steals, six rebounds and four assists. Kelly Williams scored 21 points, while Jayson Castro added 11 markers.
Henry “Bill” Walker top-scored for Blackwater with 33 points on top of 18 rebounds. JP Erram added 18 markers and 13 boards.
Games Friday: Kia Picanto (0-7) vs. Blackwater Elite (3-4) and TNT KaTropa Texters (4-2) vs. GlobalPort Batang Pier (2-3).
