Gin Kings set Fuel Masters ablaze to enhance quarters bid

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra's quarterfinal hopes just got a massive boost. 

The Gin Kings blasted the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 106-89, in their PBA Governors’ Cup matchup Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. 

Scottie Thompson filled up the statsheet in the wire-to-wire win with 29 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Jordan Murphy added 28 markers and 13 boards in the win. 

It was a close game through the second quarter, with a 3-pointer by Marcellus Earlington making it a 43-46 deficit for Phoenix. 

But Ginebra found a higher gear and unleashed a backbreaking 17-0 run capped by a trey by Jeremiah Gray to push the lead to 20, 63-43. This set the tone for the rest of the game, with the Gin Kings taking a lead as high as 26 points, 86-60, heading to the fourth. 

The deficit was too big to erase for the Fuel Masters. 

Gray and Japeth Aguilar chipped in 12 points each for the winning team. 

Earlington had 22 points and nine rebounds, as well as two assists and a steal, for Phoenix. Ricci Rivero and Kai Ballungay were the only other Fuel Masters in double digits with 10 each. 

Ginebra rose to solo fourth place in Group B play, for now, with a 4-5 win-loss record while Phoenix, already assured of a quarterfinal spot, dropped to 5-4. 

The squad is now ahead of Meralco (4-6) and Blackwater (3-6) for the final remaining playoff spot.