JUSTIN Brownlee buried another game-winner for Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday night, snatching a Game One victory away from TNT, 102-100, in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Brownlee gave most of the 11,447 fans inside the Big Dome another unforgettable moment, banking in a classic fallaway jumper over Chris McCullough's outstretched arms with 0.6 seconds left in the thrilling series opener.
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Calvin Oftana missed a lay-up off an lob inbound pass by Jordan Heading in the final play, enabling Ginebra to escape despite blowing an 18-point lead in the face of a blistering fourth-quarter blitz by the Tropang 5G.
Game Two of the best-of-seven title series is set on Friday, also at the Big Dome.
RJ Abarrientos also stepped up for the Gin Kings, knocking down two clutch fours to get them back in front at a time when TNT looked headed for the win after grabbing a 95-90 lead with three minutes left.
Even with the clutch moments, Ginebra coach Tim Cone said the performance of the team leaves much to be desired especially in the second half.
“We lost control of the game in the fourth quarter, even in much of the second half. We hit some big shots. RJ hit some big shots that got us back in the game. But we lost our lead. I just felt we weren’t defending like we were in the second half,” said Cone.
Abarrientos had 24 points and seven assists, and Brownlee had 23 points, four rebounds, and eight assists for Ginebra, which looked poised for a blowout win after opening a 64-46 lead early in the third quarter.
RR Pogoy nearly sent the game into overtime after a three with 10.6 seconds left to even the score at 100 only for Brownlee to knock down the game-winner.
McCullough had 25 points and 14 rebounds for TNT, while Pogoy had 22 points for the Tropang 5G.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 102 – Abarrientos 24, Brownlee 23, Rosario 16, Thompson 15, Cu 9, J. Aguilar 7, Gray 6, Torres 2, Holt 0, Pinto 0, Go 0.
TNT 100 – McCullough 25, Pogoy 22, Nambatac 19, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Oftana 12, Heading 5, Khobuntin 5, Castro 0, Aurin 0, Williams 0, Quitevis 0.
Quarters: 30-25; 57-44; 79-72; 102-100.
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