Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 15) — Barangay Ginebra clicked in the payoff period to blow by the Meralco Bolts, 86-76, to earn a 2-0 advantage in their best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup Finals series on Sunday at the Big Dome.
Justin Brownlee led Ginebra in scoring with 19 points, while Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio added 16 and 14 markers, respectively.
A 9-0 run saw the Bolts go ahead early with a 17-8 advantage midway through the opening quarter, before erecting a 24-18 lead over Ginebra going into the second frame.
Despite trailing 40-37 at the halftime break, it was Meralco again who stuck their noses in front, 62-57, going into the final period.
In the payoff period, Ginebra finally started firing on all cylinders.
With Meralco nursing a 75-69 advantage at the 5:56 mark, Ginebra went on a 17-1 flurry to close out the fourth quarter.
Tenorio hit a clutch triple at the 1:08 mark of the fourth quarter that practically sealed the deal for the defending champions.
Meralco couldn’t find a bucket in the end as they now find themselves staring at a 0-2 deficit in the series.
Reigning Best Import of the Conference Allen Durham paced Meralco with a game-high 25 points.
After the game, Ginebra coach Tim Cone was relieved to have recovered from their poor start.
“We took a big punch from them early in the game and kind of survived that,” Cone said. “We had a real good closing kick. Our energy went up in the last three minutes of the game, when we tied the game.”
The next game is scheduled Wednesday at the same venue with Ginebra looking to build on their lead, while Meralco will try to finally get their first victory and ensure that the series will have a Game 5.
