MANILA – Justin Brownlee caught fire from the four-point area as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings scored a 122-105 victory over San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals last night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player finished with 33 points, including 5-of-6 shooting from the fourth-point area, as the Gin Kings took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven semis series.
Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone said he was pleased with the first half performance of his squad, and he is gladder that they managed to pull away in the second half as he was able to give Brownlee a lengthy rest ahead of Game 2 on Friday.
“I thought we really played a good first half and we played an even better second half, we were pleased with the way we played in the first half, we played in the rhythm that we wanted to play,” Cone said.
“This guy in my right (Brownlee) he came in the second half shot after shot after shot that we managed to gave him some rest and prepare him for Game 2 on Friday,” he added.
Stephen Holt also made his presence felt with 30 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists, Rhon Jhay Abarrientos contributed 13 markers, while Earl Scottie Thompson tallied 10 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds for the Gin Kings.
From a slim 63-58 lead at the half, the Gin Kings created separation in the third period with Brownlee connecting his shots from 27 feet out before Holt and Abarrientos made their contributions as the lead reached as high as 24 points at 102-78.
The Beermen still attempted to make a run early in the fourth quarter, but the Gin Kings had their answers from Nard John Pinto and Joe Devance to preserve the double-digit lead the rest of the way.
Ejimofor Anosike top-scored for the Beermen with 27 points, Marcio Lassiter added 18 markers, June Mar Fajardo tallied a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds, and Jaymar Perez tallied 13 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 122 – Brownlee 33, Holt 30, Abarrientos 13, Thompson 10, Ahanmisi 9, J. Aguilar 9, Pinto 9, Devance 8, Adamos 1, Cu 0.
SAN MIGUEL 105 – Anosike 27, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 16, Perez 13, Ross 7, Rosales 6, Romeo 6, Enciso 6, Cruz 4, Tautuaa 2, Nava 0, Brondial 0.
Quarterscores: 27-28, 63-58, 97-78, 122-105.
