Abarrientos snaps slump, leads Ginebra over Meralco

Sports

RJ Abarrientos ended a streak of bad games and led the Barangay Ginebra Kings to an 84-75 win over the Meralco Bolts on Friday night, July 31, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Abarrientos erupted for 27 points, more than doubling his conference average as the Kings prevailed in the battle of undermanned teams to even its record to 2-2 (win-loss).

Averaging just 11 points a game coming into the game, Abarrientos went 3-of-5 from three-point area and also added three rebounds and three assists.

Abarrientos dumped 19 of his total output in the first half where the Kings seized control after posting a 44-29 lead at the bend.

Import Grigsby backed Abarrientos with 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

Ginebra continued to play without Scottie Thompson while also awaiting the return of injured resident import Justin Brownlee.

Meralco also played without a couple of key players as Bong Quinto and CJ Cansino sat out due to injuries.

Without the two, the Bolts struggled that led to their third loss in five outings.

Antonio Hester paced the Bolts with 24 points while Chris Banchero added 15.

THE SCORES:

GINEBRA (84) - Abarrientos 27, Grigsby 25, Holt 8, J. Aguilar 7, Rosario 7, Go 5, Cu 3, Gray 2, Abis 0, Pinto 0, Carino 0, Torres 0.

MERALCO (75) - Hester 24, Banchero 15, Bates 8, Mocon 8, Newsome 7, Maliksi 6, Hodge 4, Rios 3, Comia 0, Caram 0, Black 0.QUARTERSCORES: 18-10, 44-29, 65-50, 84-75.(CCM)