RJ Abarrientos leads retooled Ginebra past New Taipei

RJ ABARRIENTOS and Stephen Holt led Barangay Ginebra down the stretch to beat New Taipei Kings, 91-87, on Wednesday in the Macao WUS International Basketball Club Challenge.

Abarrientos finished with 20 points including a three-pointer with 2:11 left to stretch Barangay Ginebra’s lead to four points, 88-84.

Before the Abarrientos three, Holt gave the lead for good for Ginebra by scoring a lay-up on their way to winning the exhibition game that also serves as a tune-up for the coming PBA season.

Abarrientos was picked by Barangay Ginebra at No. 3 in the draft, the right of which along with Holt were acquired in a trade with Terrafirma.

Even Paul Garcia, Ginebra’s No. 34 pick in the third round, contributed to his team’s cause, scoring a three-point play with 36.1 seconds left for a 90-87 lead.

Although Garcia missed the free throw, Ginebra eventually held on with Holt splitting his two free throws to settle the final score.

The game had much interest with Ginebra’s new players under the spotlight in their first game under a public setting, and getting a lot of playing time due to the absence of their stars.

Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, and Maverick Ahanmisi didn’t see action in the exhibition game although Thompson, who didn’t play for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament due to a back injury, joined the team in the trip.

Aguilar scored 23 points for Ginebra, while Holt added 19 points, including 14 in the first half against the reigning P.League+ champion of Taiwan.