Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 23) – Defending PBA Governors’ Cup titlists Barangay Ginebra are off to a good start in their semifinals campaign as they repulsed the NLEX Road Warriors, 95-86, in Game 1 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 27 points and 14 rebounds, but local guards LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson delivered the most with 19 and 15 markers, respectively.
NLEX held a small lead in the first half, but the momentum shifted in the second half with Ginebra asserting their might in the paint to gain the upper hand.
The Gin Kings extended their lead in the fourth quarter, even tallying a 15-point lead off two made free throws from Brownlee.
Ginebra shot way better than NLEX with 47%, compared to the latter’s 38% clip. The Gin Kings also had a superior three-point shooting at 52%, in contrast to the Road Warriors’ 18%.
Cameron Clark finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds for NLEX.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 95 – Brownlee 27, Tenorio 19, Thompson 15, Tolentino 11, Standhardinger 10, Chan 7, J.Aguilar 4, Pinto 2, Onwubere 0, Caperal 0, Enriquez 0
NLEX 86 – Clark 30, Alas 17, Semerad 8, Quinahan 8, Trollano 6, Paniamogan 5, Nieto 4, Chua 3, Rosales 3, Varilla 2, Ighalo 0
Quarterscores: 23-29, 43-45, 70-64, 95-86
