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GINEBRA came up with the big finish in a thrilling series, beating PBA guest team Bay Area, 114-99, in Game Seven of the Commissioner’s Cup finals on Sunday at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Justin Brownlee scored 24 of his 34 points in the first half as the Gin Kings took control early and held on for the 15th title of the franchise.
Five other Ginebra players scored in double figures, with Jamie Malonzo, acquired in a trade just before the conference, delivering 22 points. Best Player of the Conference Scottie Thompson had 18 points, nine rebounds and six steals, while Japeth Aguilar added 14 markers and Christian Standhardinger scored 12. LA Tenorio, who suffered an abdominal strain in Game Five and struggled in Game Six, came up with 10 points and six assists.
Myles Powell had 29 points on 9 of 22 shooting for Bay Area, while Hayden Blankley added 25 points, going 98 for 16.
‘All-Filipino’ squad stops ‘international team’
“We fought an international team and got to give them a lot of credit to Bay Area. They played tough, they are coached very well. I’m just happy that we got away with a win,” said Justin Brownlee.
President Marcos on Thursday, a day after Game Six, signed into law Republic Act 11937 granting naturalization to Brownlee. He sparked the Gin Kings’ early surge on the way to his sixth PBA title, all with Ginebra.
“That makes it even more special,” he said. “We play with all-Filipino tonight for the first time since I’ve been here.”
Brownlee had 34 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists and three blocks.
He is expected to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas soon.
C-Stan is Finals MVP
With solid numbers throughout the seven-game series, Christian Standhardinger earned the Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP award.
Standhardinger averaged 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals.
The 6-foot-8 Fil-German did very well when Bay Area was led by 6’10 American forward Andrew Nicholson, and was impressive when the Dragons frontcourt was manned by 7’5 Liu Chuanxing and 6’9 Duncan Reid.
New record, still Ginebra
THE PBA has a new attendance record, with Ginebra ending up as winner again.
Game Seven of the Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup Finals drew 54,589 spectators at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan for the league’s new high.
The previous mark was 54,086 in Game Seven of the 2017 Governors’ Cup, won by the Gin Kings over the Meralco Bolts.