MANILA, Philippines – The Justin Brownlee curse continues to haunt Meralco.
Barangay Ginebra remained unbeaten in a playoff series against the Bolts with Brownlee as its import after completing a sweep of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Monday, September 30.
Finishing with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, Brownlee hit a pair of four-pointers early in the fourth quarter, sparking an inspired comeback that allowed the Gin Kings to claim the 113-106 win and secure their semifinal spot.
Ginebra locals Stephen Holt, RJ Abarrientos, Japeth Aguilar, and Scottie Thompson picked up where Brownlee left off as they took turns sinking big shots in Game 3 of the best-of-five affair.
“I’m totally shocked that we were able to beat them in three straight games,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
“They really locked in. It was amazing to watch and to see them really reach deep from within themselves to pull that game out.”
Holt chalked up 19 points, with 10 coming in the fourth period, on top of 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Aguilar put up 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Abarrientos supplied 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The third overall pick in the last draft, Abarrientos scored 7 straight points during one stretch in the final frame, including a gutsy three-point play that gave Ginebra its first lead at 97-94 after it got buried by as deep as 66-78.
Ahanmisi delivered 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Thompson tallied 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
The Gin Kings will face the winner of the quarterfinal series between San Miguel and Converge.
Bolts import Allen Durham turned in another monster outing of 38 points and 13 rebounds, but his effort once again went down the drain as he has yet to beat Ginebra in a playoff series.
Durham and Meralco also lost to the Gin Kings in the finals of the 2016, 2017, and 2019 editions of the Governors’ Cup.
The Scores
Barangay Ginebra 113 – Brownlee 23, Holt 19, J.Aguilar 19, Abarrientos 17, Ahanmisi 17, Thompson 16, Devance 2, Cu 0, R.Aguilar 0, Pessumal 0.
Meralco 106 – Durham 38, Quinto 19, Newsome 14, Banchero 10, Hodge 10, Caram 7, Bates 4, Rios 2, Mendoza 2, Pascual 0.
Quarters : 28-27, 47-56, 83-72, 113-106.
– Rappler.com
