Barangay Ginebra made amends for a spotty defensive showing to start the second half and held off Blackwater, 103-99, in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Thursday at the Angeles University Foundation Gym in Pampanga.
After allowing the Elite to fire 39 points in the third quarter, the Gin Kings locked in and regained control in the final period to improve to 2-0 in the standings, tying fellow league-leaders TNT and Phoenix on top.
But Ginebra still had to endure some tense moments in the final minute before coming away with the win, needing a free throw from Jared Dillinger in the final 8.8 seconds to essentially wrap it up and put the game out of reach from the Elite.
Prince Caperal was an unlikely stabilizing presence for Ginebra and led five double-digit scorers with 24 points built around 5-for-8 threes. He also grabbed six boards and handed out three dimes.
Stanley Pringle added 17 points, Thompson put up a 14-7-7 all-around line, while Jeff Chan and Japeth Aguilar added 12 and 11 each.