Barangay Ginebra decimated long-time rivals TNT, 115-95, to complete the comeback from a twice-to-beat disadvantage and enter the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings caught their rhythm on offense late in the second quarter, and there was no stopping the crowd darlings whatsoever from that point as they went on to keep their championship retention bid very much alive.
Furthermore, the resounding victory served as a sweet payback after that bitter quarterfinal loss in the 2021 Philippine Cup that ended their reign.
“It’s really special, I’ve only done it a few times in my career and so it’s always super special to win a twice-to-beat disadvantage,” said coach Tim Cone.
Justin Brownlee finished with 29 points on a 46-percent clip from the field, 18 rebounds, and seven assists to lead the Barangay.
The 2018 Commissioner’s Cup Best Import powered his side’s 10-2 run — including a tough fadeaway jumper to beat the buzzer — to end the first half, which turned a slim three-point lead to a 59-46 advantage.
The other Gin Kings went on to help the 33-year-old in continuing the onslaught in the second half. An LA Tenorio flick from the baseline pushed their lead to the game’s biggest at 23, 75-52, with 7:04 left in the third chapter.
The Tropang Giga, though, still fought and knocked within 13, 86-99, with less than eight minutes left to play. But Brownlee, Tenorio, and Japeth Aguilar prevented any comeback and even re-established a 23-point lead late.
Aguilar produced 26 points and seven rebounds. Tenorio finished with 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Scottie Thompson nearly had yet another triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
“We just shot the ball really well tonight,” said Cone as Ginebra shot 54-percent from the floor, including a 40-percent clip from deep.
After the win witnessed by 10,846 fans, Ginebra will now wait for the winner between NLEX and Alaska for its semis opponent.
Meanwhile, Mikey Williams led TNT with 17 points in a performance that saw him score just two in the first half. The loss, moreover, has impacted the rookie guard’s bid of winning the Best Player of the Conference plum.
New import Leon Gilmore III made 14 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Jayson Castro had 12 points, while Poy Erram added 11 in the loss.
The Scores:
Ginebra 115 – Brownlee 29, Aguilar 26, Tenorio 22, Thompson 17, Standhardinger 10, Pinto 7, Chan 4, Caperal 0, Enriquez 0, Ayaay 0.
TNT 95 – M. Williams 17, Gilmore III 14, Castro 12, Erram 11, K. Williams 10, Pogoy 9, Rosario 7, Khobuntin 5, Montalbo 4, Cruz 3, Reyes 3, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarterscores: 25-29, 59-48, 96-74, 115-95.
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