Justin Brownlee wielded his endgame magic time and again to lift Ginebra past Meralco, 104-103, and move a win away from the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals, Saturday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
He first blocked Allen Durham’s potential dagger from near the rim and got the ball himself, and then nailed a double-stepback three– against his counterpart, too — for the lead with 10.1 seconds left that sent the crowd in a frenzy.
The Kings would step it up on defense afterward, denying Chris Newsome a good look at the bucket before misses by Cliff Hodge and Durham enabled the crew to build a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five quarterfinal battle.
Brownlee finished with 39 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three blocks, once again becoming the executioner for an opponent he has long tormented in the playoffs — beginning in that title clincher eight years ago.
“Tonight, we jumped on the broad shoulders of Justin,” said head coach Tim Cone. “We’ve done that many times in the past. But, we also have a realization that we can’t do that every night. We’ve gotta be able to do better next game.
“But tonight was Justin’s night,” he added. “He was amazing. We’ve seen so many amazing games of Justin winning games down the stretch, and this is just another one of them added to the list. But maybe, a top four, or five.”
Scottie Thompson delivered 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists while Maverick Ahanmisi supplied 15 points on a 3-for-3 clip from deep.
RJ Abarrientos and Japeth Aguilar added 11 points apiece as they all came through with solid complementary roles for the three-time Best Import.
Thanks to Brownlee, Ginebra earned a chance to sweep its rivals in Game 3 on Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium for a quick trip to the semis.
Wasted by the loss, on the other hand, was the best showing of the conference yet of Durham as he finished with 39 as well alongside 14 rebounds.
Meralco’s resident import appeared to have given his side the momentum when he completed a three-point play with 1:22 remaining, which also sent Aguilar out of the game as he whistled for his sixth foul.
But then, and like a deja vu of sorts, Brownlee happened, leaving the Philippine Cup champions on the brink of being swept in the race-to-3 affair.
Newsome backed him up with 23 points while Hodge made 15 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the heartbreaking defeat.
The Scores:
Ginebra 104 – Brownlee 39, Thompson 19, Ahanmisi 15, Abarrientos 11, J.Aguilar 11, Holt 6, Cu 3, Devance 0, Tenorio 0, Pinto 0, R.Aguilar 0.
Meralco 103 – Durham 39, Newsome 23, Hodge 15, Quinto 8, Bates 7, Mendoza 6, Banchero 3, Pasaol 2, Caram 0, Rios 0, Almazan 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 48-41, 79-75, 104-103.
