Justin Brownlee leads Ginebra to semifinals with sweep of Meralco
The Justin Brownlee curse continues to haunt the Meralco Bolts as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel completed a 3-0 sweep in their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup series with a 113-106 come-from-behind win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Monday, September 30.
The victory propelled Ginebra to the semifinals, maintaining their unbeaten playoff record against Meralco with Brownlee as their import.
Brownlee was instrumental yet again, delivering 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, including back-to-back four-point plays early in the fourth quarter that ignited Ginebra’s rally. Down by as much as 12 points in the second half, the Gin Kings roared back to life, with Brownlee’s heroics sparking a run that turned the game in their favor.
Supporting Brownlee was a collective effort from the Ginebra locals. Stephen Holt contributed 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while RJ Abarrientos played a pivotal role with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Japeth Aguilar also added 19 points and 8 boards, while Scottie Thompson chipped in 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Ginebra’s comeback was sealed in the fourth quarter, where they outscored Meralco 39-25. Abarrientos’ gutsy play, including a crucial and-one that gave Ginebra its first lead of the half at 97-94, was key to the turnaround. Holt and Thompson then hit clutch baskets to keep the Bolts at bay, while timely free throws from Holt and Maverick Ahanmisi iced the game and the series.
Meralco, led by Allen Durham’s 38 points and 13 rebounds, fought valiantly but couldn’t hold off Ginebra’s surge. Anjo Caram hit a late four-pointer to bring the Bolts within three, 109-106, but it wasn’t enough as Ginebra closed out the game from the free-throw line.
The Bolts, who have now been eliminated by Ginebra in multiple Governors’ Cup campaigns, struggled to match Ginebra’s firepower in the decisive moments. Durham, a former Best Import, did everything he could to extend Meralco’s campaign, but it wasn’t enough against the Gin Kings’ deep roster.
With the win, Ginebra became the first team to enter the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals, where they await the winner of the San Miguel Beermen vs. Converge FiberXers series.
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