Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 25) – Reigning PBA Governors’ Cup titlists Barangay Ginebra are a win away from reaching the finals after dominating anew the NLEX Road Warriors, 104-94, in Game 2 of their best-of-five semifinals series on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Justin Brownlee produced his usual output with 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while Scottie Thompson and Christian Standhardinger each chipped in 17 markers to help the Gin Kings clinch a 2-0 semifinals lead.
The two leading locals had a double-double outing, with Thompson grabbing 12 rebounds and Standhardinger imposing his might in the paint with 11 boards.
Ginebra started to demonstrate their offensive prowess late in the second quarter to snag the halftime advantage, 55-49.
In the third canto, the Gin Kings delivered all their offensive stops to increase their lead to as high as 18 points despite the gap in their frontcourt due to the absence of injured big man Japeth Aguilar.
The Tim Cone-mentored Ginebra maintained their all-around performance in the fourth quarter en route to their Game 2 victory.
“The stakes are much higher. You got to come out,” said Cone in the post-game press conference, as he cited the record of Yeng Guiao-coached teams of coming from behind in playoffs series.
“That’s our point of emphasis, we have to come out hard. The moment we don’t, this team is gonna stop us,” Cone added.
Matt Nieto led NLEX with 19 points while import Cameron Clark added 15 markers.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 104 – Brownlee 32, Thompson 17, Standhardinger 17, Tenorio 15, Pinto 10, Devance 7, Tolentino 6, Caperal 0, Chan 0, Ayaay 0
NLEX 94 – Nieto 19, Clark 15, Chua 12, Alas 12, Rosales 10, Trollano 10, Quinahan 8, Semerad 3, Ighalo 3, Paniamogan 2
Quarterscores: 24-27, 55-49, 82-66, 104-94
