Defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel stamped their class all over TNT Katropa with a masterful 121-94 showing in Game One of their 2017 Governor’s Cup Semifinals, Monday night at a packed SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings are now 1-0 in the best-of-five series over the Katropa, who defeated them back in the elimination round last September 23, 121-92, also at the Big Dome.
“They beat us up in the elims, and we got ’em today,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “One way, we’re happy that we’re able to play like this because we’re able to beat them. On the other hand, we just filled their bag with a whole bunch of motivation going to Game Two.”
“There’s always positives and negatives to blowouts in a series. But, we basically got done what we wanted to do today,” the multi-titled mentor pointed out.
Six Gin Kings finished in double figures in the blowout. Justin Brownlee led the attack with 21 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists. Joe Devance scored 19, while Greg Slaughter supplied 16 markers with seven boards.
TNT were still in contention early, but it all changed when the Gin Kings made a 14-2 run — capped by Greg Slaughter’s split — from a 17-19 deficit to post a 31-21 cushion late in the first quarter — the lead that put them on top the rest of the way.
The Barangay even led by as much as 34 points, 113-79, after Jervy Cruz’s put-back off his own miss with 4:43 remaining in the payoff period.
Mark Caguioa produced 13 markers off the bench for Ginebra. Cruz, LA Tenorio, and Japeth Aguilar all chipped in 10 points apiece.
Glen Rice, Jr. led TNT with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but his numbers were negated by his seven turnovers. Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy backed up the reinforcement with 16 and 12 markers, respectively.
The Barangay shot an excellent 54 percent from the floor, all thanks to the 34 assists they dished. They also reigned supreme in rebounds, 54-42, and their defense, furthermore, forced TNT into 22 errors that they converted to 23 points.
The Gin Kings will look to post a commanding 2-0 series lead in Game Two set this Wednesday, October 4, 7:00 PM, at the Batangas City Sports Center in Batangas.
The Scores:
Ginebra 121 – Brownlee 21, Devance 19, Slaughter 16, Caguioa 13, Tenorio 10, Aguilar J. 10, Cruz 10, Thompson 7, Mercado 7, Mariano 4, Taha 4, Helterbrand 0, Aguilar R. 0.
TNT 94 – Rice Jr. 26, Castro 16, Pogoy 12, Tautuaa 7, Carey 6, Nuyles 6, Rosario 5, Williams 5, Semerad 5, Hernandez 3, Reyes 2, Chua 1, Golla 0, Lingganay 0, Seigle 0.
Quarterscores: 31-22, 60-48, 95-75, 121-94.
