By REYNALD MAGALLON A Christmas Day win – in a true Never-Say-Die fashion – successfully delivered by RJ Abarrientos, Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson for their legion of fans. Abarrientos and Brownlee provided the spark in the second half while Thompson put on the finishing touches with the game-winning triple as Barangay Ginebra completed a 22-point comeback to edge Magnolia, 95-92, in the Manila Clasico at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Dec. 25.
With the Kings looking like going nowhere in the final possession in the last 22 seconds, Abarrientos took matters into his own hands and drove hard to the basket. Already with a huge second half performance, the rookie guard was naturally greeted by the Hotshots’ swarming defense but he found a way to kick the ball out to Thompson who had been waiting from the left corner. Wide open, Thompson, who was scoreless in the final frame, drained the booming triple just as the game clock expired – much to the delight of most of the 12,198 Christmas Day crowd.
Abarrientos conspired with Brownlee in leading the comeback as they almost outscored the entire Magnolia team, 36-37, in the second half. The rookie guard had 17 of his 20 points in the last two quarters while Brownlee poured 19 of his 28 in the same stretch. Brownlee added seven points and five assists while Abarrientos also chipped in five assists and three steals.
Troy Rosario also shone in his first Manila Clasico with 15 points and eight rebounds while Thom.