PBA: Ginebra rallies to beat Magnolia in key clash
Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo protects the ball from Magnolia’s Paul Lee during the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra rallied from 10 down in the final period to edge Magnolia, 85-81, in a crucial “Manila Clasico” encounter in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Stephen Holt and Jamie Malonzo combined for 16 points in the fourth and the Gin Kings were able to shake off the ill-effects of their loss to the Meralco Bolts two nights prior and improve to 6-3 in the eliminations.
READ: PBA: Meralco-Ginebra deliver another expected barnburner
Ginebra coach Tim Cone and Stephen Holt after the win vs. Magnolia. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/PZQty6cstw
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 1, 2025
Holt had 14 points while Malonzo dropped 11, including five down the stretch that enabled Ginebra to gain a cushion.
Malonzo’s layup and three, the latter gave Ginebra an 85-79 lead with 1:22 left in the ballgame, that contributed to the way the crowd favorites redeemed themselves from the Meralco defeat marred the ejection of coach Tim Cone for entering the court twice to protest the officiating.
Magnolia still got a chance to force overtime but Paul Lee’s attempted four-pointer went nowhere and lost a marquee contest that would have put the Hotshots closer to a twice-to-beat advantage.
READ: PBA: Tim Cone ejected in Ginebra loss, bolts out of Big Dome
The Hotshots fell to a tie for the lead with the NLEX Road Warriors at 7-2 ahead of the two teams’ clash on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Ian Sangalang and Zavier Lucero scored 16 points apiece, but Magnolia lost a 71-61 lead early in the fourth.
It was the first of three straight big Sunday matches for Ginebra, which will face TNT next at Ninoy Aquino, their first game since the dramatic seven-game showdown for the Commissioner’s Cup crown.
