BARANGAY Ginebra once again cruised to a comprehensive 127-100 victory over NorthPort on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to step ever closer to a finals appearance in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
Just like in the first two games of the best-of-seven series, the Gin Kings looked untouchable - and the Batang Pier looked in over their heads - as they moved one win away from a 4-0 sweep at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ TNT teammates Poy Erram, Glenn Khobuntin fight in Game 3
To win this series, the top-seeded Batang Pier must replicate San Miguel's 'Beeracle' in 2015 - a tough task for a team that trailed by a many as 38 points in Game 3 and lost all three games by an average margin of 20.3 points.
Only San Miguel has come back from such a 0-3 deficit when the Beermen overcame Alaska in the 2015-16 Philippine Cup Finals.
Jamie Malonzo had his best game since coming back from a lengthy break due to a calf injury, scoring 25 points while also contributing eight rebounds for the fourth-seeded Gin Kings.
Fans found something to cheer about in the blowout contest when Malonzo scored on alley-oop dunk on a pass from RJ Abarrientos in the fourth quarter.
“Our first group is coming out and playing well but our second group led by Jamie and RJ are just playing great. They’ve been able to extend leads and break the back of the other team. That’s a luxury to have,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Justin Brownlee had 22 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Japeth Aguilar had 17 points for the Gin Kings, who again had the luxury of fielding their second- and third stringers after taking a 64-40 advantage by halftime.
Kadeem Jack had 32 points, while Arvin Tolentino had 15 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field for the top-seeded NorthPort team that was outscored, 34-19, in the second quarter.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 127 – Malonzo 25, Brownlee 22, J. Aguilar 17, Thompson 15, Abarrientos 10, Rosario 10, Ahanmisi 6, Holt 5, Pessumal 4, Gray 4, R. Aguilar 3, Adamos 2, Mariano 2, Tenorio 2, Cu 0, Pinto 0.
NorthPort 100 – Jack 32, Tolentino 15, Taha 11, Yu 6, Miranda 6, Bulanadi 6, Munzon 5, Cuntapay 5, Flores 4, Nelle 3, Navarro 3, Tratter 2, Onwubere 2.
Quarters: 30-21; 64-40; 99-68; 127-100.
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