Ginebra takes 1-0 lead vs Magnolia in PBA semis

Barangay Ginebra survived a gallant stand by a Nick Rakocevic-less Magnolia Chicken Timplados in the second half to hammer out a heart-stopping 87-84 win and take a 1-0 lead in their 2022-23 PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinal series on Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Hotshots lost their 6-9 Serbian reinforcement during the 5:36 mark of the third period after being slapped with a flagrant foul penalty 1 for trying to trip Ginebra big man Christian Standhardinger, with the Gin Kings up by just two points, 56-54. The ejection was automatic as Rakocevic was earlier slapped a technical foul in the first half.