Ginebra completely overcame TNT’s twice-to-beat edge in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, taking the series with a 115-95 win in the deciding game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Three nights after bludgeoning the Tropang Giga in the endgame to steal Game 1, the Gin Kings took advantage of new import Leon Gilmore’s early cramping woes by outscoring the Tropa, 71-45, in the second and the third quarters combined to turn a 25-29 deficit at the end of the first quarter to a 96-74 lead after three periods, and they never looked back from there.
“I’ve only done it a few times in my career, and it’s super special to win a twice-to-beat disadvantage,” Coach Tim Cone said after the game.
Justin Brownlee fired 29 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, dished seven assists, and made one block for Ginebra, which will face the NLEX Road Warriors in the best-of-five semifinals beginning Wednesday at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Japeth Aguilar added 26 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, while LA Tenorio chipped in 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Scottie Thompson came close to a triple-double with 17 markers, 10 markers, and nine dimes alongside two steals.
Mikey Williams led TNT, which missed out on taking the season double, with 17 points, three rebounds, and six assists.
The Road Warriors ended Alaska’s farewell tour with an emphatic 96-80 victory in their own knockout duel in the second game.
The Aces took the exit in the league after 35 memorable years of participation marked by 14 championships including a grand slam in 1996.
The Road Warriors bounced back from a disappointing loss Wednesday and thus claimed the last spot in the PBA Governors’ Cup Final Four joining top seed Magnolia, No. 4 Meralco and No. 6 Barangay Ginebra.
Source: Philippines News Agency
