BARANGAY Ginebra's Christian Standhardinger got the better of NorthPort's Greg Slaughter in their first matchup since their one-on-one trade.
Standhardinger made sure of this as he knocked in the winning bucket in a pulsating 87-85 win Friday night in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The Fil-German bruiser picked up Stanley Pringle's airball attempt and sent it home falling down at the buzzer, sealing for Ginebra (2-2) the hard-earned victory against his former team (1-3).
Standhardinger's last-gasp winner was made possible by a key defensive gem in the previous play by his Twin Tower partner, Japeth Aguilar, who foiled NorthPort rookie Jamie Malonzo's breakaway stub.
"When Malonzo was on that breakaway layup, it looked pretty bleak, that we're gonna lose that game. But Japeth hustled down and blocked the shot," said a relieved coach Tim Cone.
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"And then Christian also didn't quit on the play. He was there with Japeth on defense and he came all the way back down to the floor in seven seconds and got that offensive rebound and put it in for the win," he added.
Standhardinger posted 13 points and 12 rebounds versus his former teammates to back up Stanley Pringle's 24, LA Tenorio's 20 and Aguilar's 15.
Slaughter, who played six seasons with Ginebra and was traded after returning from a one-year sabbatical, finished with 16 markers and 14 boards to complement Robert Bolick's 23.
The Gin Kings faced an early nine point deficit and played catchup most of the way.
The Batang Pier seized a 73-68 cushion on two freethrows by Slaughter before Tenorio and Aguilar spearheaded a furious assault that put Ginebra ahead by seven at 85-78.
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Behind Slaughter, Bolick and Sean Anthony, NorthPort knotted the count at 85-all with 31.4 seconds left.
"Sobrang importante ang panalong ito for us," said Tenorio after the Gin Kings avoided back-to-back losses.
"Obviously, we're really struggling offensively and defensively; we're still in the process of developing chemistry, getting to know each other especially with Christian and some of the new guys," he added. (OL)
The Scores:
Ginebra 87 - Pringle 24, Tenorio 20, J.Aguilar 15, Standhardinger 13, Dillinger 5, Thompson 5, Caperal 5, Chan 0, Enriquez 0, Tolentino 0, Ayaay 0.
Northport 85- Bolick 23, Slaughter 16, Balanza 14, Anthony 11, Malonzo 9, Onwubere 8, Grey 2, Rike 2, Doliguez 0, Elorde 0.
Quarterscores: 16-22, 42-51, 61-63, 87-85.
