By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Ginebra San Miguel sank timely baskets and got the much-needed stops to hold off the surging Blackwater Elite, 103-99, in their second game of the PBA bubble in Clark.
Mac Belo and KG Canaleta each drained crucial treys that helped the Elite claw back from 18 down to just 4, trailing 96-92 with a minute left in the ballgame.
However, Scottie Thompson provided the cushion for Ginebra after nailing a tough fall-away banker that put them up 98-92.
Roi Sumang’s heroics weren’t enough to help the Elite salvage the victory after draining a three and converting a layup.
It was a dominant Ginebra outing in the first half until the youngsters from Blackwater caught fire in the third as Don Trollano and Mac Bello came out firing from all cylinders.
Prince Caperal had another solid performance for Ginebra in the absence of Greg Slaughter after producing 24 huge points.
The emerging stretch-four for Ginebra converted five of his seven total attempts from downtown and sank clutch free throws to put the icing on the cake for the Tim Cone led squad.