MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings were pushed to the limit by the Terrafirma Dyip before escaping with a 109-104 win in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Struggling to pull away from the also-ran Dyip, the Gin Kings broke a 102-all deadlock with a three-pointer by Nard John Pinto for a 105-102 lead with over two minutes left before it was quickly cut to 104-105 by a tough layup by Terrafirma’s Jordan Williams.
A jumper by Justin Brownlee with exactly a minute left followed by a two-handed dunk by Jamie Malonzo with 13 seconds remaining served as the Gin Kings’ separation to escape with their fifth consecutive victory.
Brownlee finished with 38 points, with 19 coming in the fourth quarter, to go with six assists, five blocks and three rebounds as the Gin Kings secured a twice-to-beat incentive with its 8-2 win-loss slate.
Christian Standhardinger had double-double 23 points and 12 rebounds, Malonzo also had double-double 16 points and 13 boards, while Earl Scottie Thompson contributed 13 for the defending champions Gin Kings.
Jordan Williams tallied double-double 35 points and 10 rebounds, Juan Miguel Tiongson added 18 markers, while Eric James Camson contributed 11 as the Dyip ended their campaign with 2-9 win-loss slate.
In the first game, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (7-4) relied on a third quarter breakaway to defeat Blackwater Bossing (1-10), 110-95, and gave themselves a shot at a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
Holding to a slim 48-45 lead at the half, the Hotshots went on a huge rampage in the third quarter behind inside conversions from Calvin Abueva, Antonio Hester and Russel Escoto for an 87-66 lead.
The Bossing tried to claw back in the fourth quarter with triples from Baser Amer and Jvee Casio to cut the deficit to 89-95 but conversions from Abueva and Rome dela Rosa allowed the Hotshots to establish a double-digit lead.
Abueva led the way with conference-high 27 points to go with 13 rebounds, Hester had double-double 22 points and 20 rebounds, while Escoto and Dela Rosa had 17 and 14, respectively, for the Hotshots.
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 109 – Brownlee 38, Standhardinger 23, Malonzo 16, Thompson 13, Pinto 9, Gray 7, Pringle 3.
TERRAFIRMA 104 – Williams 35, Tiongson 18, Camson 11, Gomez de Liano 8, Mina 7, Cahilig 7, Calvo 7, Cabagnot 3, Ramos 3, Daquioag 3, Gabayni 2, Ferrer 0, Alolino 0.
Quarterscores: 26-24, 52-48, 78-79, 109-104./PN
