Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA (UPDATED) — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel banked on a fiery start and a big third quarter from Scottie Thompson to even their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series against the Meralco Bolts at 2-2.

The Gin Kings defeated Meralco, 90-71, during their Friday evening clash at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, with Tim Cone’s troops successfully bouncing back from their back-to-back defeats. 

Scottie contributed 15 points and five rebounds for the Tim Cone-mentored team, while Japeth Aguilar top-scored with 21 markers alongside six boards, but what helped Ginebra even more was the presence of LA Tenorio who was inserted into the First Five for the first time in the series.

"Coach Tim mentioned in practice that I'm gonna start. Ako naman, I'm always ready kung ilang minutes man yan. I'm ready in practice at kung ano yung routine ko, yun pa rin. I will always be ready," said Tenorio, who finished with seven points, six assists, and four rebounds and was hailed as the Best Player of the Game.

"Lagi lang nasa isip ko, I'm gonna help this team in any way I can, kahit ilang minutes pa yan," he added. "I'm happy nakabalik ako, and more than that, to be able to give the team a lift at manalo. Yung ang importante."

Ginebra opened the game with all their guns blazing, as baskets from Thompson, Stanley Pringle, and Christian Standhardinger as well as Tenorio’s presence powered them to a 16-2 start in the contest.

Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar. Photo from PBA Images.

Ginebra continued their surge in the second frame and even increased their lead to 20, 41-21, after a jumper from Pringle at the 5:39 mark, but conversions from Chris Banchero, Bong Quinto, and Chris Newsome allowed Meralco to get to as close as 15 at the half.

Early in the third, a jumper from Allein Maliksi allowed the Bolts to get within 10, 49-39, but that was the closest that they could get as Thompson took charge late in the quarter and scored seven straight points to build a 24-point advantage, 73-49, and get back in control.

The lead even increased to 27, 87-60, after a basket from Aguilar at the 6:39 mark of the fourth, and that proved to be enough for the Kings to finally fend off their modern-day rival. 

This, in turn, allowed the Tim Cone-mentored team to avoid being down a 3-1 hole as they approach Game 5 which will be played on Sunday.

Meanwhile, leading the Bolts were Banchero and Maliksi who each posted 14 points. 

The now virtual best-of-three series is scheduled on May 26, still at the same Pasay bayside arena.

Tip-off is at 6:15 p.m.

The Scores:

GINEBRA

- 90 — J.Aguilar 21, Thompson 15, Standhardinger 15, Pringle 14, Ahanmisi 7, Tenorio 7, Pinto 4, Cu 3, Gumaru 3, Murrell 1, Pessumal 0, R. Aguilar 0, David 0.

MERALCO

- 71 — Banchero 14, Maliksi 14, Newsome 10, Caram 8, Hodge 6, Mendoza 5, Torres 4, Quinto 3, Bates 3, Almazan 2, Pascual 2, Jose 0, Rios 0, Dario 0, Pasaol 0.

Quarterscores

: 31-15, 47-32, 73-49, 90-71.