Brgy. Ginebra def Blackwater, 86-63 [PBA S49 Comm’s Cup | Jan. 12, 2025]
Brgy. Ginebra celebrated the triumphant return of Jamie Malonzo with an emphatic 86-63 victory over the struggling Blackwater Elite on Sunday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ynares Center, Antipolo.
Making his much-anticipated comeback after a grueling nine-month, 44-game rehabilitation process for a calf injury, Malonzo made a notable impact off the bench, posting eight points and grabbing three rebounds in just under 11 minutes of play.
While his individual contributions may seem modest, they played a crucial role in the Gin Kings’ effort to rebound from a narrow 116-119 loss to NorthPort last Wednesday, moving them to a commendable 6-3 record. Star players Justin Brownlee, RJ Abarrientos, Japeth Aguilar, and former Bossing Troy Rosario stepped up significantly, providing the firepower needed to secure the win.
Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone expressed his satisfaction with Malonzo’s performance, particularly during the pivotal 27-13 surge in the third quarter that propelled the team to a commanding 66-45 lead. The Gin Kings extended that advantage to as much as 75-50, effectively sealing Blackwater’s fate and handing them a fourth consecutive loss, dropping their record to 1-6.
Despite a challenging shooting night—hitting only 29 of 70 attempts from the floor and missing their first 15 attempts from beyond the arc—Ginebra’s defensive tenacity proved decisive. Cone highlighted that limiting Blackwater to an even lower shooting percentage of 23 for 77 was key to their success.
Brownlee was the standout scorer for the Kings, finishing with 18 points, while Abarrientos chipped in 15, buoyed by two crucial three-pointers that helped establish a 39-32 halftime lead. Aguilar contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, and Rosario made his presence felt by scoring all eight of his points in the third quarter.
On the other side, George King led all scorers with 27 points but managed only 10-of-20 shooting, with scant support from his teammates. Jaydee Tungcab was the lone local for Blackwater to reach double digits, finishing with 10 points.
