Barangay Ginebra San Miguel moved just one win away from the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals after drubbing the NorthPort Batang Pier, 132-105, in Game Three of the semis Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee had his best game of the series, leading Ginebra with 41 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
Japeth Aguilar also had himself a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jeff Chan continued his solid play as he produced 17 points on 70-percent shooting from the field.
Stanley Pringle had 14 points, six assists, and two steals, while LA Tenorio added 11 markers in the win.
“I really didn’t expect that. I didn’t expect us to play so well. We came out and we played really well,” said coach Tim Cone.
The Gin Kings already had the match under control in the second period after unloading a 19-8 run to turn a slim five-point lead to a wide 64-48 advantage at the halftime break.
The crowd darlings would then lead by as many as 32 points, 125-93, following a three by Teytey Teodoro with 3:18 left in the game. They eventually cruised to the win that gave them a 2-1 series lead.
Michael Qualls led the Batang Pier with 32 points and 10 rebounds in their second straight loss.
Christian Standhardinger contributed 20 points and nine rebounds, while Paolo Taha had 15 points. Sean Anthony added 14 for NorthPort, who played without Sol Mercado due to an ankle injury.
Ginebra will look to formalize its entry to the title bout in Game Four on Friday, December 20, still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Ginebra 132 – Brownlee 41, J. Aguilar 18, Chan 17, Pringle 14, Tenorio 11, Thompson 6, Mariano 6, R. Aguilar 5, Slaughter 4, Dillinger 2, Sargent 0, Caperal 0,
NorthPort 105 – Qualls 32, Standhardinger 20, Taha 15, Anthony 14, Lanete 8, Teodoro 8, Elorde 7, Cruz 5, King 2, Escoto 2.
Quarterscores: 36-31, 64-48, 100-72, 132-105.
