JUSTIN Brownlee scored 40 points as Barangay Ginebra shot the lights out to outclass Rain or Shine, 114-90, on Sunday and get back to its winning ways in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Brownlee buried six of Ginebra's 21 three-pointers - two short of the league record of 23 threes/fours that the Elasto Painters set last April 15 - as the Gin Kings improved to 8-3 (win-loss) and tied the Elasto Painters for second place.
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The convincing win was also the perfect response to Ginebra's 112-91 loss to Meralco on Friday that snapped its five-game winning streak.
“Friday's game against Meralco, we were all feeling terrible about it but we were kinda due for a letdown. You never want them, especially from a coaching standpoint… That's totally on the coaching staff,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
“We knew that wasn't us and we can come back and put a good game together tonight despite the one-game prep,” Cone added.
Ralph Cu came off the bench and was a revelation for the Gins, nailing 5-of-7 threes to contribute to their outside shooting on his way to 15 points.
RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson had double-doubles while also being on fire from threes. Abarrientos had 23 points (4-of-9 shooting from threes) and 11 assists, while Thompson had 17 points (5-of-9) and 16 rebounds.
The Gin Kings' defense also limited the high-octane Elasto Painters to only nine fastbreak points.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 114 – Brownlee 40, Abarrientos 23, Thompson 17, Cu 15, Rosario 13, Holt 4, Torres 2, Pinto 0.
Rain or Shine 90 – Johnson 16, Mamuyac 14, Asistio 13, Nocum 10, Santillan 8, Cuajao 8, Tiongson 8, Villegas 6, Caracut 5, Malonzo 2, Manaytay 0, Clarito 0, David 0.
Quarters: 20-21; 51-42; 86-70; 114-90.
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