MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings overcame a flat start to defeat Meralco Bolts, 94-87, in the do-or-die Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Justin Brownlee posted a near triple-double of 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to go with two blocks and a steal as the Gin Kings clinched the best-of-three quarterfinals series at 2-1.
Stephen Holt had his best offensive game of the series with 17 points, while rookie Rhon Jay Abarrientos and Jeth Troy Rosario contributed 16 and 12 markers, respectively, for Ginebra.
Trailing 19-32 early in the second quarter, the Gin Kings slowly clawed their way back behind conversions from Brownlee and Ralph Cu to cut the deficit to 38-39 at the half.
Both teams were engaged in a tight battle in the third quarter before the Gin Kings created separation on a three-pointers by Abarrientos and Cu and a basket from Rosario for a 64-58 lead.
The Bolts were still hanging around at 76-80 before the Gin Kings got a three-pointer from Abarrientos, a three-point play from Brownlee and a dunk from Japeth Aguilar for an 88-76 spread.
“We just made the shots when we needed the most, that was the spark that we needed to turn this game around,” Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone said in a post-game interview.
Chris Newsome finishes with 22 points to lead the Bolts, Kier John Quinto added 16 markers, while Clifford Hodge and Chris Banchero had 13 and 12 markers, respectively, in the loss.
The Gin Kings will next face the top-seed NorthPort Batang Pier in a best-of-seven semifinals series beginning after the FIBA break./PN
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 94 – Brownlee 23, Holt 17, Abarrientos 16, Rosario 12, Thompson 7, J. Aguilar 6, Ahanmisi 6, Cu 5, Malonzo 0.
MERALCO 87 – Newsome 22, Quinto 16, Hodge 13, Banchero 12, Black 9, Mitchell 8, Rios 5, Almazan 2, Bates 0.
Quarterscores: 19-22, 37-38, 64-58, 94-87.
