Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 19) – Reigning PBA Governors’ Cup titlists Barangay Ginebra displayed its never-say-die attitude in beating TNT Tropang Giga, 115-95, in their sudden death quarterfinals match on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Three Gin Kings scored above 20 points in their big win with resident import Justin Brownlee leading their stand with 29 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists.
Reliable big man Japeth Aguilar delivered with 26 points and only missed three of his 14 total field goals, while playmaker LA Tenorio added 22 markers, six rebounds, and six assists to overcome their twice-to-beat disadvantage against the defending Philippine Cup champions.
“I’ve only done it a few times in my career. It’s super special to win a twice-to-beat disadvantage. To find a way to do that, it’s really really hard and the odds are way against you,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone on pulling the feat.
TNT had a close lead after the first quarter but Scottie Thompson and Brownlee commanded the scoring run for Ginebra in the second quarter for a double-digit halftime advantage, 59-48.
The Gin Kings continued their scoring rampage in the third quarter to tally their biggest lead at 22 points twice and limited the shooting opportunities of Tropang Giga’s rookie sensation Mikey Williams and new import Leon Gilmore III.
In the fourth quarter, TNT staged a mini offensive attack led by Williams to trim their deficit to 13 points, 86-99.
The Ginebra trio of Brownlee, Aguilar, and Tenorio averted a possible meltdown for the reigning champions in the offensive end to punch their semifinals ticket.
“We just shot the ball really well tonight. Japeth was knocking down shots and taking jump shots from the top of the key. Everybody shot well tonight and that made the game a lot easier,” Cone said on their offensive performance where the Gin Kings shot 54% of all their total field goals.
Williams topscored for the Tropang Giga with 17 points, while Gilmore added 14 markers in his lone game wearing a TNT jersey.
In the semifinals, Ginebra will tangle with the winner of the other do-or-die quarterfinals game between NLEX Road Warriors and Alaska Aces.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 115 – Brownlee 29, J.Aguilar 26, Tenorio 22, Thompson 17, Standhardinger 10, Pinto 7, Chan 4, Ayaay 0, Enriquez 0, Caperal 0
TNT 95 – M. Williams 17, Gilmore III 14, Castro 12, Erram 11, K.Williams 10, Pogoy 9, Rosario 7, Khobuntin 5, Montalbo 4, Cruz 3, Reyes 3, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0
Quarterscores: 25-29, 59-48, 96-74, 115-95
