Ginebra avoided falling into a dangerous situation as it found much-needed solutions to decipher TNT, 85-73, and take Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on All Saints’ Day.
Coach Tim Cone expanded his rotation by starting LA Tenorio and then utilizing Joe Devance later on, giving them enough spunk to seize control early before finding another gear in the third quarter to wrest the lead for good.
Justin Brownlee scored back-to-back inside before Scottie Thompson nailed a tough fallaway jumper for a quick 6-0 run toward a 62-57 lead and momentum would swing their way since, eventually enabling them to pull away.
It happened in the deciding period, when Brownlee finally nailed his first three-pointer of the series to help lay down the Barangay’s decisive 13-2 assault en route to an 81-69 advantage with only 65 seconds left in the game.
Ginebra would then rely on defense afterward to seal the win, giving the team a huge confidence-booster heading into Game 4 on Sunday at the Big Dome, where the BPC and Best Import of the tilt will be awarded before tip-off.
“We certainly played a lot better, especially on defense,” said Cone as they held the Tropang Giga to their lowest scoring output in a game this conference since losing to Terrafirma by way of an 84-72 result last September 19.
“I think coming from the San Miguel series, we were a little bit worn and not as focused as we should be. The two games kind of woke us up so hopefully, this gets us going in the series,” the 25-time champion mentor added.
Brownlee spearheaded Ginebra with 18 points on a 47.1-percent clip from the floor, 13 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and four blocks.
Maverick Ahanmisi delivered 16 points and eight rebounds for his best showing of the series thus far as he benefited from the Kings’ decision to make him come off the bench and put Tenorio on his spot in the first five.
Tenorio scored nine points, seven of which he made in the opening period alone, and tallied four steals as he brought a major impact in the 16 minutes he was utilized — that, after riding the bench in the last two games.
“It’s a big adjustment for us na palitan ang starting five but yeah, effective,” the 40-year-old Tenorio said. “Hopefully next game, magawa ulit namin ‘yung ganun. Ibig sabihin, naging effective ‘yung adjustment namin.”
Scottie Thompson supplied 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists while Japeth Aguilar and Stephen Holt added 10 each for the Barangay, who shot better this time by converting 50-percent (33-of-66) of their attempts.
Leading TNT, on the other hand, was Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with a game-high 24 points, alongside 14 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and a block.
Despite the solid numbers, the reigning Best Import struggled to find the mark offensively as he made just eight of his 26 field goal attempts.
Poy Erram had 12 points, including 10 in the first half, and five rebounds. Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy added 10 each in the defeat that foiled the defending champions’ bid of erecting a 3-0 lead in the race-to-4 affair.
The Scores:
Ginebra 85 – Brownlee 18, Ahanmisi 16, Thompson 15, J.Aguilar 10, Holt 10, Tenorio 9, Cu 3, Abarrientos 2, Devance 2.
TNT 73 – Hollis-Jefferson 24, Erram 12, Castro 10, Pogoy 10, Oftana 9, Khobuntin 4, Nambatac 2, Williams 2, Aurin 2.
Quarterscores: 20-19, 42-39, 62-59, 85-73.
