BARANGAY Ginebra grabbed the first game of its best-of-five quarterfinals series over Meralco, 99-92, on Thursday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Justin Brownlee had 29 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals for the Gin Kings who claimed the early lead in their renewal of rivalry with the Bolts.
Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar, as well as rookie RJ Abarrientos and new face Stephen Holt, also came up big for third-seeded Ginebra vs. No. 2 seed Meralco.
The Gin Kings led by as many as 15 points, 66-51, in the third quarter, and were able to protect it amidst a late charge by the Bolts.
The closest Meralco got was 84-83, but Ginebra responded with an 11-2 run capped off by an RJ Abarrientos three with 2:51 left in the game.
“We know that any kind of lead in the series isn’t going to matter much. Any kind of lead we have in the game isn’t going to matter much. Better be leading than then (coming from) behind. We are happy to get Game One and get ahead,” said coach Tim Cone.
Thompson added 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Holt had 14 points and five rebounds.
Joe Devance also played in the game after coming back from retirement. He had two points and saw action for six minutes and 19 seconds.
For the Bolts, Cliff Hodge had 23 points and five rebounds, while Chris Newsome had 20 points, and Allen Durham had 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Game Two is scheduled on Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
GINEBRA 99 – Brownlee 29, Thompson 19, Holt 14, J. Aguilar 10, Cu 9, Ahanmisi 8, Abarrientos 8, Devance 2, R. Aguilar 0.
MERALCO 92 – Hodge 23, Newsome 20, Durham 17, Banchero 11, Quinto 10, Caram 6, Almazan 5, Rios 0, Mendoza 0, Bates 0, Cansino 0, Jose 0.
Quarters: 28-24; 53-43; 73-71; 99-92.
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