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    Ginebra turns back Meralco fightback, evens PBA Finals at 1-all

    Gin Kings regain form just in time in Game Two
    Apr 8, 2022
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    Ginebra import Justin Brownlee celebrates after a steal and basket off Chris Banchero in Game Two.

    JUSTIN Brownlee nailed the crucial shots late as Barangay Ginebra survived a Meralco fightback to take Game Two, 99-93, on Friday night in the PBA Season 46 Governors’ Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

    Brownlee flirted with a triple double as he finished with 36 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists for the Gin Kings, who evened the best-of-seven finals at one win apiece despite nearly squandering leads as big as 20 points.

    Cnristian Standhardinger Cliff Hodge

    Under pressure from a whirlwind Meralco comeback led by Tony Bishop and youngster Aaron Black, Ginebra turned to its resident import to seal the deal.

    Brownlee provided the highlight of the game, stealing the ball from Chris Banchero and scoring on a two-hand slam to the delight of most of the mostly pro-Ginebra 12,248 spectators inside the stadium with 1:22 left in the game.

    That slam enabled the Kings to grab a 96-91 lead, just a few minutes after the Bolts came within two points on a gallant effort led by Bishop and Black.

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    Before the dunk, Brownlee also scored on a three-point play with 4:54 left in the fourth to extend the lead to 94-86, capping a 6-0 run to regain control of the contest.

    The Ginebra import made up for his Game One performance where he shot just 7-of-20 from the field, his worst outing, shooting-wise, in the conference, as the Gin Kings made it a series entering Game 3 on Sunday.

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    “I just think it was more of a mental adjustment coming out. We came out with a little bit more fire and purpose. We really focused on the little things,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

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      Scottie Thompson added 16 points and 12 rebounds while LA Tenorio contributed 13 points for Ginebra, which started like a house on fire behind the 22 points of Brownlee in the first half on a fiery 9-of-11 shooting.

      The Kings led, 60-42, at the half and a three-pointer by Jeff Chan early in the third canto allowed Ginebra to grab a 69-49 advantage.

      Bishop had 31 points and 13 rebounds while Black had a career-high 24 points including 15 in the third to help Meralco cut the Ginebra lead to 11 entering the fourth.

      Game One hero Allein Maliksi was held scoreless in the match.

      The scores:

      Ginebra 99 – Brownlee 36, Thompson 16, Tenorio 13, Standhardinger 12, Pinto 10, Chan 7, Mariano 5, Salado 0, Onwubere 0, Devance 0, Ayaay 0.

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      Meralco 93 – Bishop 31, Black 24, Banchero 14, Newsome 7, Almazan 6, Quinto 5, Hodge 4, Baclao 2, Hugnatan 0, Maliksi 0.

      Quarters: 20-23; 60-42; 82-71; 99-93.

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      Ginebra import Justin Brownlee celebrates after a steal and basket off Chris Banchero in Game Two.
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