Tedday2223
Member
Like what he’s used to in previous Barangay Ginebra-Meralco playoffs duels, Justin Brownlee took charge of the finishing for the Gin Kings. Brownlee peppered their old rivals with 10 points in the fourth period to power the Gin Kings to a hard-earned 99-92 verdict in their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series opener versus the Bolts last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Brownlee finished with 29 points to go with 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals as he beat Allen Durham, his chief rival in the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Governors’ Cup title duels, in giving his team a 1-0 upperhand in the best-of-five contest. Brownlee’s major spark in a 22-14 closing barrage saved the day after Ginebra blew a 66-51 tear and allowed Meralco to take the driver’s seat, 78-77, early in the fourth quarter. Ginebra overcame what coach Tim Cone described as a “feeling-out stage” for Brownlee and new additions like Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos. Scottie Thompson produced 19 markers, five boards and five assists while Holt shot 14, Japeth Aguilar had 10 to back up JB. Durham, who beat Brownlee for Best Import honors but lost the title in their three previous faceoffs, logged 17 markers and 13 boards for the Bolts. Interestingly, it was defensive specialist Cliff Hodge who showed the way in scoring for Meralco with 23 followed by Chris Newsome with 20.
