Bishop debuts impressively as Ginebra routs Converge

MANILA, Philippines -- The new-look Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings pulled away in the second half and drubbed the hapless Converge FiberXers, 100-86, for a triumphant debut in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

New Ginebra import Tony Bishop had a big double-double in the game, finishing with 34 points and 12 rebounds.

With Converge trailing by just one, 65-66 in the third quarter, following a three-point play by Jerick Balanza, Ginebra ended the frame with a 14-2 run capped by a pair of free throws by Nards Pinto to take an 80-67 lead heading into the fourth.

Ginebra never looked back since then.

The lead balloooned to as much as 16 points, 86-70, with 9:03 remaining after a layup by Japeth Aguilar.

The FiberXers struggled to cut into the lead as the deficit never went down to single digit.

Backing up the massive game by Bishop was Christian Standhardinger, who finished with 25 points -- including 17 in the first quarter alone -- 16 rebounds and five assists.

In his Ginebra debut, Mav Ahanmisi had seven points on 2-of-9 shooting. He had six rebounds and two assists.

Justin Arana led Converge with 20 points and eight rebounds.

The FiberXers' import, Tom Vodanovich, finished with just 13 points.

Converge dropped to a 0-3 hole.