Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Meralco Bolts took a 2-1 lead in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup Final series after outshooting the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, 107-103, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Allen Durham led the way for the Bolts with 36 markers, while Chris Newsome and Jimmy Alapag chipped in with 22 and 18, respectively.
In what was another tightly contested affair, neither team could hold on to a decisive lead until the very last quarter.
The Bolts were clinging on to a precarious 98-94 advantage heading into the last two minutes mark of the payoff period.
Ginebra kept knocking on the door, but the Bolts were able to keep them away as the clock started to tick away.
Reynel Hugnatan came up with a big triple to increase the Meralco cushion to 105-98 with 43 ticks left to play.
Ginebra forward Japeth Aguilar was able to sink a quick bucket to reduce the deficit to 105-100 with 34 seconds left, to keep his team within touching distance.
The Gin Kings were granted a lifeline after Durham missed out on the chance to finally put the game to bed after failing to convert on two free throw attempts.
With 11.2 left to play, Justin Brownlee hit a long-range triple to put Ginebra within touching distance at 105-103.
But it was too little, too late for the Gin Kings as Durham finally buried two free throws to put the game on ice with 8 seconds left to play.
Brownlee paced Ginebra with 42 points.
Meralco hopes to build on their lead in the best-of-seven series in Game 4 on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
