Cone wins 1,000th game in Ginebra’s latest victory

Barangay Ginebra spark plugs Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo picked up the energy they brought into the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers — joining forces to pull the Gin Kings to a convincing 98-84 victory over Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on 18 November at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Thompson, the league's reigning Most Valuable Player, pumped in 16 points on top of eight boards, six rebounds and a steal.

Malonzo, on the other hand, added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and grabbed five boards.

Thompson and Malonzo were two of the five players with double figures for the Gin Kings.

Import Justin Brownlee led the way with 17 markers, while Jeremiah Gray added 15 and Christian Standhardinger tallied 10 for Ginebra, which posted its fourth straight win for a 6-2 standing.

But the night belonged to Tim Cone, the two-time grand slam coach who became the first mentor in PBA history to win 1,000 games.

"It's a longevity record. You have to be longer enough in the league to achieve such record," said Cone, Ginebra head coach, who's been calling the shots non-stop since joining the PBA in 1989.

"I hope I can get 1,001 in our game against TNT," he added.

Like Cone, Brownlee also achieved a milestone as the only import to complete more than 300 steals in PBA history.

The scores:

GINEBRA 98 – Brownlee 17, Thompson 16, Gray 15, Malonzo 13, Standhardinger 10, Mariano 8, Pringle 7, J.Aguilar 5, Pessumal 3, Tenorio 2, Dillinger 2, Pinto 0, R.Aguilar 0, David 0

BLACKWATER 84 – Ular 20, Jackson 14, Krutwig 11, Ayonayon 10, Banal 6, Suerte 6, Sena 6, Go 4, Dyke 4, Taha 3, Ebona 0, Melton 0

QUARTERS: 27-22, 52-47, 75-58, 98-84