Ginebra sweeps Meralco to book first ticket to the Final Four
Barangay Ginebra swept rival Meralco Bolts, 113-106, in their best-of-five quarter finals series last night, September 30, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to get the first ticket to the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semi final round.
Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings in scoring by producing 23 points including two booming four-pointers that started their ‘never-say-die’ comeback after being down as much as 12 points.
Stephen Holt, who was named Best Player of the Game, together with RJ Abarrientos and Maverick Ahanmsi helped Brownlee in their fightback as they also delivered from the two rainbow countries.
Holt had a total of 19 markers which include a triple that gave the Gin Kings their largest lead at 105-98 with 2:36 left in the game.
Abarrientos produced 17 points, while Ahanmisi contributed the same numbers including three 3-pointers.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said that he was shocked that they have defeated the Bolts in three straight games, “First of all, I’m totally shocked that we were able to beat them in three straight games. And each game came with a play here or play there would have changed the whole complexion of the game.”
"Credit just goes to the guys for really reaching deep. They really locked in the second half and so it was amazing to see them really reach deep from within themselves to pull this game out," he added.
Allen Durham paced Meralco with 38 points and 13 rebounds, while four of his teammates also produced double-digit scoring.
The Gin Kings now await the winner of the SMB-Converge series on whom they will face in a best-of-seven semi final showdown.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 113 - Brownlee 23, Holt 19, J.Aguilar 19, Abarrientos 17, Ahanmisi 17, Thompson 16, Devance 2, Cu 0, R.Aguilar 0, Pessumal 0.
MERALCO 106 - Durham 38, Quinto 19, Newsome 14, Banchero 10, Hodge 10, Caram 7, Bates 4, Rios 2, Mendoza 2, Pascual 0.
Quarter Scores: 28-27, 47-56, 83-72, 113-106.
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