Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — After three heartbreaking seasons, Barangay Ginebra is now back in the PBA Finals.
The Gin Kings thwarted the San Miguel Beermen, 117-92, on Tuesday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to move on to the championship round.
Rookie Scottie Thompson posted a career-high 24 points (4-of-7 from downtown) and 15 rebounds.
Ginebra had a blistering 33-12 start but was silent in the second quarter as they allowed San Miguel to make a 24-0 run and reduce the deficit to seven, 45-38, at the end of the first half.
With the victory, the Gin Kings march on to their 21st Finals appearance in franchise history.
Head coach Tim Cone – now on his 30th finals appearance – steered a strong third period response with a 36 point output to re-establish a comfortable edge heading into the final frame.
Arwind Santos paced the Beermen with 24 markers.
The “most popular” PBA ballclub will face multi-titled tactician Norman Black and the Meralco Bolts in the best-of-seven Governors’ Cup finals starting October 7 (Friday) at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum at 7 p.m.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra (117) – Brownlee 26, Thompson 24, Mercado 22, Tenorio 18, Mariano 11, Devance 6, Aguilar 5, Caguioa 2, Helterbrand 2, Marcelo 1, Cruz 0, Villamor 0.
San Miguel (92) – Santos 24, Millsap 18, Lassiter 11, Cabagnot 10, Heruela 9, David 7, Fajardo 7, Reyes 3, Ross 3, Arana 0, De Ocampo 0, Espinas 0, Semerad 0, Tubid 0.
Quarterscores: 33-12, 45-38, 81-53, 117-92.
