Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 8) – Defending champions Barangay Ginebra averted a late game collapse to level their PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven finals series with the Meralco Bolts, 99-93, on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Gin Kings leaned their late game exploits to import Justin Brownlee – who almost had a triple-double outing of 36 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists in Game 2.
“Justin is struggling in Game 1 and I knew he’s going to come back. Our guys took the challenge today and really did a good work,” Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said in the post-game press conference.
In the last 1:22 of the game, Brownlee converted on a highlight-reel dunk off a steal from Meralco star guard Chris Banchero and three free-throws to seal the win and tie the series at 1-1.
Ginebra began to build their wide margin in the second quarter after outscoring Meralco, 40-19, for an 18-point cushion at halftime.
The Gin Kings tallied their biggest lead at 20 points, 69-49, in the first three minutes of the third quarter courtesy of a triple by Jeff Chan.
The Bolts staged a huge scoring run in the fourth quarter as they get themselves down by two points, 86-88, from a Tony Bishop layup in the 6:28 mark.
Chris Newsome – who was only limited to just seven points in Game 2 – hit a huge three-point shot with over two minutes remaining in the contest for a 91-94 deficit.
After the Newsome shot, Brownlee took over in the Ginebra late game offense as the reigning titlists also did a good job in forcing Meralco to take low percentage baskets towards the final buzzer.
Ginebra also benefited in their Game 2 win from the double-double performances of flashy guard Scottie Thompson – who scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds – and big man Christian Standhardinger’s 12 point-11 rebound production.
“We came out with a little bit more fire and focus. We need to tighten up in everything we do. We knew the game will swing back to them in the second half. We tried to keep our poise,” Cone reflected on the team’s overall performance in their Game 2 win.
Bishop led the charge for the Bolts with 31 points and 13 rebounds while Aaron Black broke out with 24 markers and six assists.
Top Meralco scorer Allein Maliksi struggled in Game 2 as he went scoreless and missed all his seven attempts.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 99 – Brownlee 36, Thompson 16, Renorio 13, Standhardinger 12, Pinto 10, Chan 7, Mariano 5, Ssalado 0, Onwubere 0, Devance 0, Ayaay 0
MERALCO 93 – Bishop 31, Black 24, Banchero 14, Newsome 7, Almazan 6, Quinto 5, Hodge 4, Baclao 2, Belo 0, Hugnatan 0, Maliksi 0
Quarterscores: 20-23, 60-42, 82-71, 99-93
