Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings Shine with Ralph Cu’s Explosive Performance
In a thrilling match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 10, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings showcased their prowess with a remarkable 102-92 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters, securing a 2-0 start in the PBA Philippine Cup. The standout of the game was rookie Ralph Cu, the 23rd pick in the 2023 PBA Draft, who delivered a stellar performance, particularly in the third quarter.
Cu’s third-quarter heroics saw him sink four treys, three of which came in the early minutes of the third frame. This scoring spree not only extended Ginebra’s halftime lead of 47-43 but also propelled them to a commanding 79-62 advantage entering the final period. Cu, a sharpshooting big man, celebrated his 27th birthday in style by earning his first Player of the Game accolade, contributing 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in over 18 minutes of play as a starter.
Reflecting on his performance, Cu shared, “I noticed that [Phoenix’s] defense was giving me the shot. They wanted me to shoot the ball so I just wanted to let them pay. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I think this is the most opportunity I’ve had in my whole life.” Cu’s journey from being a bench player in college to making a significant impact in the professional league underscores his determination and skill development.
Joining Cu in the scoring column, Jamie Malonzo, despite playing with a black eye from a previous altercation, delivered a solid performance with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Guards Stanley Pringle and John Pinto also made their mark from beyond the arc, each knocking down three triples to finish with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Pinto’s contribution was crucial in the third quarter surge, where he, Cu, and Malonzo combined for six consecutive three-pointers, propelling Ginebra to a comfortable lead.
On the opposing side, Jason Perkins led the scoring for the Fuel Masters with 14 points, followed by Javee Mocon’s 13. The absence of star player Tyler Tio due to injury posed a challenge for Phoenix, who now find themselves with a disappointing 0-2 start in the conference after a strong showing in the previous Commissioner’s Cup.
In another exciting matchup, the NorthPort Batang Pier demonstrated their depth and resilience with a hard-fought 90-85 victory over the Meralco Bolts, securing their third consecutive win in the Philippine Cup. Rookie center Cade Flores played a pivotal role in their previous win, while JM Calma emerged as the unexpected hero in this game, contributing 16 points and 8 rebounds on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting.
Arvin Tolentino added 16 points to the scoreboard, although he struggled with his shooting percentage. With key players like Joshua Munzon facing offensive challenges, Paul Zamar stepped up with 14 points, supported by Flores’ consistent performance of 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 steals. The Batang Pier’s defensive prowess was evident as they forced Meralco into committing 25 turnovers, capitalizing on those mistakes to secure the win.
NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan emphasized the team’s focus on defense, rewarding players who excel in that aspect with extended playing time. As the Batang Pier maintained control throughout the game, Meralco made a late push to narrow the gap, but Flores sealed the victory with a decisive layup in the final moments.
With this win, NorthPort improved to a 3-1 record, while Meralco fell to 1-3 in the standings. The competitive nature of the games highlights the intensity of the Philippine Cup and sets the stage for more thrilling matchups in the upcoming fixtures.
