Ginebra regains lead over San Miguel in PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals

Justin Brownlee delivered a masterful two-way performance to lead Barangay Ginebra to a hard-fought 99-94 victory over San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals on Sunday night at the Dasmariñas City Arena.

The win gives the Gin Kings a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series, moving them within two victories of a finals berth.

Brownlee finished with a stellar stat line of 30 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five blocks, proving once again why he’s one of the PBA’s most dominant players. His timely plays on both ends of the floor secured the win for Ginebra, including the decisive basket that pushed the Kings ahead, 97-90, in the game’s closing minutes.

Stephen Holt provided vital support, contributing 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. He, along with Brownlee, scored six of Ginebra’s final eight points, delivering crucial baskets in crunch time. Scottie Thompson also came up big with eight points and eight rebounds, securing two critical possessions late in the game with his hustle and rebounding efforts.

Japeth Aguilar, who had been engaged in a head-to-head battle with San Miguel’s star center June Mar Fajardo, added 22 points and eight rebounds. Aguilar’s presence in the paint helped Ginebra regain momentum after San Miguel’s third-quarter surge, which saw the Beermen erase an 11-point deficit and take a brief 67-60 lead.

Fajardo had his lowest output of the series, finishing with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

The Beermen were led by import EJ Anosike, who dropped 32 points, including 14 in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the resilient Ginebra squad. CJ Perez added 13 points for San Miguel, while Marcio Lassiter contributed 12, including a four-point shot in the dying seconds that cut Ginebra’s lead to 97-94.

WATCH: San Miguel vs. Ginebra (October 13) Game 3 Highlights

However, it was Brownlee’s all-around brilliance and Ginebra’s late-game composure that ultimately sealed the victory. Maverick Ahanmisi also contributed significantly, posting a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, sinking two crucial free throws with 12 seconds remaining to extend Ginebra’s lead.

San Miguel now finds itself in a must-win situation heading into Game 4, which will be played on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Ginebra, meanwhile, looks to carry the momentum and move one step closer to the finals.