Justin Brownlee’s end-game wits were on display Saturday night as he helped Barangay Ginebra edge Rain or Shine, 98-89, in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the game tied at 89 with 3:48 left to play, the former Best Import made a lay-up and a dunk before Scottie Thompson and Stanley Pringle joined in for a 9-0 Gin Kings run to finish the game.
Brownlee flirted with a triple-double as he finished with 35 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists to power the Barangay to its third straight victory that improved its win-loss record to 4-2.
“It was a really tough game and honestly, it was the kind of game we needed. I think we needed to have a grind-out, down-the-stretch game,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
“We have to be willing to play these kinds of games and be mentally strong and tough down the stretch and find a way to win. And tonight, I thought we played really good defense down the stretch,” he continued.
Thompson produced 11 points, including seven in the final frame alone, along with three dimes and three boards.
Kwame Alexander had 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead Rain or Shine, who actually took a 75-67 lead with 15 seconds remaining in the third quarter following a 10-2 scoring blitz.
Gabe Norwood had 14 points, while Beau Belga added 13 in the loss that dropped the Elasto Painters to 2-6, creating a four-way logjam at ninth with Alaska, Phoenix Pulse, and Blackwater.
Rain or Shine suffered a tough blow in the match when Rey Nambatac sprained his ankle with 6:16 left to play. He never returned since and left with 10 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Ginebra will next face rivals Meralco (4-2) on November 3, Sunday, still at the Big Dome, while Rain or Shine will take on NLEX (6-1) on October 30, Wednesday, at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Scores:
Ginebra (98) — Brownlee 39, Thompson 11, Tenorio 11, Pringle 9, Dela Cruz 8, Slaughter 8, Aguilar 8, Caperal 4, Chan 0, Mariano 0.
Rain or Shine (89) — Alexander 20, Norwood 14, Belga 13, Nambatac 10, Mocon 8, Torres 7, Ponferada 5, Daquioag 4, Rosales 3, Borboran 3, Exciminano 2.
Quarterscores: 28-20, 46-43, 69-75, 98-89.
