Ginebra’s Troy Rosario against Magnolia’s Paul Lee in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA (UPDATED) — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel tallied a crucial victory to stay in the hunt for a Top 4 spot in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.

The Gin Kings marched to victory after they stunned the Magnolia Hotshots, 85-81, in their Manila Clasico faceoff on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Ginebra improved to 6-3 after this game, and it was a vital one as they were coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Meralco Bolts last Friday.

"It was a huge game for us," said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. "We were playing for our playoff lives, and we got back in the hunt for the Top 4. We put up a better fight, and we just persevered through adversity."

Stephen Holt received Player of the Game honors, but he emphasized on how they responded following their previous defeat.

"It shows your true character when you face adversity," said Holt, who finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.

In addition, Japeth Aguilar remained solid with a 17-point, 11-rebound game, Troy Rosario finished with 15 markers, five boards and three dimes, while Jamie Malonzo hit an important three-pointer to complete his 11 points on top of five rebounds and two steals.

After Ginebra rallied from 10 down to build an 80-79 lead, Holt converted on a crucial reverse lay-in at the 1:49 mark to create a three-point cushion, while Malonzo took advantage of a Rome Dela Rosa turnover as he hit the dagger trey 27 seconds later for an 85-79 lead.

Ian Sangalang tried to pump some life into Magnolia's hopes, scoring on a deuce at the 1:07 mark to bring his squad to within a possession, but this eventually went for naught as Paul Lee was not able to fire a decent attempt in hopes of sending the game into OT.

Magnolia also failed to hold on to its 71-61 lead early in the fourth, one which was completed by a trey by newest Hotshot William Navarro with 11:25 left in the game, and this resulted in them settling for 7-2 in the team standings.

Sangalang and Lucero each scored 16 points for their squad, Mark Barroca and James Laput both finished with nine, while Navarro contributed five markers and four boards in his Magnolia debut.

Despite the loss, however, the Hotshots are already assured of a spot in the quarterfinals.

After the Phoenix Fuel Masters' loss earlier today, Magnolia, Ginebra, as well as the NLEX Road Warriors, the San Miguel Beermen, the TNT Tropang 5G, the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters, the Converge FiberXers, and the Meralco Bolts have now officially entered the quarters.

The eight playoff-bound teams are now just battling for positions for a spot in the Top 4.

The Scores :

Ginebra 85 – J.Aguilar 17, Rosario 15, Holt 14, Malonzo 11, Abarrientos 10, Thompson 5, David 5, Pinto 4, Adamos 4, Gray 0.

Magnolia 81 – Sangalang 16, Lucero 16, Barroca 9, Laput 9, Lastimosa 8, Lee 6, Navarro 5, Dela Rosa 5, Alfaro 4, Dionisio 3.

Quarterscores: 22-24, 44-39, 59-68, 85-81

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