Author: Martin Dale D. Bolima
Photo Credit: PBA
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel rode a blazing third quarter to secure Game 1 of their best-of-seven PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals series against the San Miguel Beermen, 122-105, on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena.
Justin Brownlee led the way, pouring in a game-high 33 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Offseason acquisition Stephen Holt ably backstopped Brownlee, adding 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in another all-around effort.
Ginebra and San Miguel Battle in High-Scoring First Half
The two title contenders actually figured in a slugfest in the first half as both shot lights out. San Miguel even took the first, 28-27, while Ginebra got the lead by halftime, 63-58, despite Brownlee missing more than eight minutes of game time bridging the first and second quarters.
Ginebra then waxed hot after intermission, with Brownlee alone dropping 20 in the third on a trio of four-pointers, a pair of treys, and a jump hook inside. In all, the Barangay outscored San Miguel 34-20 to turn a tight game into a 97-78 contest heading to the final canto.
Holt, Nards Pinto, and Scottie Thompson finished the job in the fourth, hitting timely baskets to keep the Beermen at arm’s length the rest of the way.
Abarrientos, who scored 11 points while Brownlee was saddled with foul trouble in the first half, chipped in 13 markers and 5 assists, while Thompson finished with 10 points, 10 assists, and 6 boards.
EJ Anosike led the San Miguel charge with 27 points and 8 caroms, followed by Marcio Lassiter’s 18 markers. June Mark Fajardo, coming off a monster 40-point, 24-rebound double-double, finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds.
Game 2 is on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
- GINEBRA 122 – Brownlee 33, Holt 30, Abarrientos 13, Thompson 10, Ahanmisi 9, J.Aguilar 9, Pinto 9, Devance 8, Adamos 1
- SAN MIGUEL 105 – Anosike 27, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 16, Perez 13, Ross 7, Rosales 6, Romeo 6, Enciso 6, Cruz 4, Tautuaa 2
