Stanley Pringle and Ralph Cu made up for early offensive struggles to power Barangay Ginebra to a 92-88 Game 1 victory in their best-of-seven semifinals affair on Friday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.Pringle delivered in the clutch to finish with a season-high 22 alongside six rebounds and one block, while rookie Cu put together six triples to tally 18 markers on top of two boards and two dimes as the Gin Kings drew first blood, 1-0.
Chris Newsome then displayed his brilliance on both ends, completing a three-point play chance before grabbing a steal that led to a Chris Banchero layup in the final 1:08, 84-89. Another pair of freebies from Newsome made it a four-point deficit for the Bolts, 86-90, but a Pringle floater proved to be the dagger for Ginebra as it sent them to a 92-86 advantage with only 39 ticks remaining.