The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (7–4) overcame a slow start and escaped with a 108–105 victory over the Titan Ultra Giant Risers (4–7). Meanwhile, TNT Tropang 5G (8–3) secured a twice-to-beat advantage with a solid 94–83 win against the Magnolia Hotshots (6–5) on December 21.
Here are the players who made the biggest impact and the stats to prove it:
TOP PERFORMERS OF THE DAY:
Joshua Eugene Munzon TIT SG 31 PTS | 8 AST | 6 STL | 61.8 FPS
Munzon had a career night, pouring in 28 points for the third time this conference while matching his conference-high in assists and his career best in steals.
Calvin Abueva TIT PF 26 PTS | 11 REB | 4 STL | 48.7 FPS
The Beast recorded his seventh 20-point game and his eighth-straight double-digit rebounding game this conference.
Zavier Lucero MAG PF 17 PTS | 9 REB | 3 BLK | 38.3 FPS
Lucero led the team in scoring again with his sixth 15-point outing of the conference. He also delivered in defense, posting his fourth game with 3 or more blocks while staying one of the best rebounders in the league, averaging 9.8 boards per game.
Stephen Jeffrey Holt GIN SG 27 PTS | 4 REB | 2 STL | 36.8 FPS
Holt topped the team with his third 20-point performance of the conference. He ranks second in the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 points this tournament.
Rhon Jay Abarrientos GIN PG 24 PTS | 3 REB | 6 AST | 35.6 FPS
RJ was clutch when it mattered most, scoring 15 points in the fourth to seal the win. He has hit the 24-point mark in four of his last six games and continues to lead the team with 16.5 points per game.
Jordan Timothy Heading TNT SG 23 PTS | 6 REB | 2 AST | 35.2 FPS
Heading caught fire in the third quarter, dropping 14 points on perfect 3-for-3 shooting from four. He’s been on a roll lately, averaging 19.8 points in his last five games.
Calvin John Oftana TNT SF 17 PTS | 9 REB | 2 BLK | 33.8 FPS
Oftana has been consistent on offense, scoring at least 15 points in six-consecutive games. He also made a big impact in rebounding, finishing with at least 9 rebounds for the third time this conference.
Earl Scottie Thompson GIN SG 11 PTS | 6 REB | 9 AST | 30.7 FPS
Thompson has been a steady all-around contributor this conference, averaging 11 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in 11 games.
Kelly Williams TNT C 11 PTS | 7 REB | 2 STL | 30.4 FPS
Kelly was a non-factor against Blackwater, scoring under 5 five points for the fifth time this season. But he got back on track against Magnolia, posting his third double-digit scoring game of the season while also recording at least 7 rebounds for the fourth time in his last six.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE DAY:
Japeth Aguilar GIN C 5 PTS | 5 REB | 2 BLK
Japeth has now scored fewer than 10 points five times this conference.
