Ginebra debuts on a high note, sends Columbian to 0-4

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s title defense of their Governors’ Cup championship got off to a great start as they dealt the Columbian Dyip their fourth consecutive loss, 96-84, Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

This is now the Gin Kings’ 12th straight win over Columbian in the season-ending conference.

Justin Brownlee led the Barangay with a dominant 34-point, 20-rebound showing. Twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar supplied 14 markers apiece and combined for 16 rebounds – Ginebra collected a total of 65 caroms.

The Gin Kings only had the chance to pull away late in the fourth quarter. From a tie at 66-all, Ginebra made an 18-4 scoring blitz – capped by Aguilar’s freebies – on their way to an 84-72 cushion with 3:23 left to play.

Ginebra would go on to lead by 16 twice after that.

“At first we struggled, but in the second half we played better,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “We played better defense.”

Scottie Thompson showed why interim Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao wants him for the Nationals in the second round of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, as he had 10 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

Rashawn McCarthy had 18 points to lead Columbian. Jerramy King had 17 points, center Eric Camson provided 14 points and six rebounds, while import Akeem Wright chipped in 12 markers and nine boards with five assists.

Both teams will see action again this Sunday, September 2, still at the Big Dome. Columbian will play first at 4:30 PM versus the skidding TNT KaTropa, while Ginebra will battle league leaders Alaska Aces at 6:45 PM.

The Scores:

Ginebra 96 – Brownlee 34, Slaughter 14, Aguilar 14, Thompson 10, Mariano 8, Tenorio 7, Chan 7, Ferrer 2, Caguioa 0.

Columbian 84 – McCarthy 18, King 17, Camson 14, Wright 12, Reyes 5, Escoto 5, Khobuntin 5, Gabriel 4, Sara 4, Ababou 0, Tubid 0, Lastimosa 0, Cabrera 0, Cahilig 0.

Quarterscores: 23-18, 41-36, 61-61, 96-84.