Ginebra strikes back, vents ire on Magnolia as NLEX enters PBA q’finals

Ginebra battled back from a 10-point deficit before repulsing Magnolia, 85-81, in the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Stephen Holt scored 12 of his 14 markers in the second half and sparked the Gin Kings’ comeback from a 61-71 deficit. Four other Ginebra players finished in double figures for the league’s most popular team — Japeth Aguilar (17), Troy Rosario (15), Jamie Malonzo (11) and RJ Abarrientos (10).

Aguilar also grabbed 11 boards to finish with a double-double game for Barangay Ginebra, which improved to 7-3 to bolster its playoff chances.

Earlier, NLEX walloped NorthPort, 105-95, to officially enter the quarterfinal round.

The Road Warriors improved their win-loss record to 8-2 to stay on top of the standings and bolster their twice-to-beat chances.

The top two teams at the end of the elimination round will be given a twice-to-beat privilege against their lower-seeded rivals.