The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel have moved a win away from booking a trip to the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals as they staved off the Meralco Bolts, 88-81, in Game One of the quarters, Monday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Barangay are now up 1-0 in the best-of-three series, and have the chance to close it out on Wednesday, July 11, 4:30 PM still at the Big Dome.
“Meralco has been a great defensive team all conference, and they turned this game into a defensive struggle,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “We had a really hard time finding a rhythm against their defense.
“They’re a great defensive team, and we had to make really great shots to win, and you don’t really want to rely on great shots to try to win a game. They’re low percentage, they go in and everybody’s happy, they don’t and you’re in trouble,” Cone added.
Import Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings with all-around numbers of 26 points, nine rebounds, and six assists with a pair of steals and blocks.
The 6-foot-5 American was the one who delivered that “great shot” Cone talked about. With 25 ticks left to play, Brownlee nailed a triple to put Ginebra up, 87-79, and that proved to be the nail in the coffin that buried Meralco.
Joe Devance produced 14 points and four dimes in the victory. Greg Slaughter supplied 13 points and seven rebounds, while frontcourt partner Japeth Aguilar was the lone Gin King to notch a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.
The win serves as a great present for LA Tenorio, who is celebrating his 34th birthday today. The star guard finished with four points, five caroms, and three dimes.
Four players finished in double figures for Meralco, with Baser Amer leading the pack with 15 points along with five assists. Jared Dillinger had 13 points, Arinze Onuaku made 12 and 18, while Anjo Caram chipped in 11 markers.
The Scores:
Ginebra 88 – Brownlee 25, Devance 14, Slaughter 13, Aguilar 10, Chan 8, Mercado 8, Ferrer 6, Tenorio 4, Thompson 0.
Meralco 81 – Amer 15, Dillinger 13, Onuaku 12, Caram 11, De Ocampo 9, Lanete 8, Hodge 6, Canaleta 5, Newsome 2, Hugnatan 0.
Quarterscores: 22-20, 38-45, 67-62, 88-81.
