Brownlee sets tone, Thompson posts triple-double as Ginebra whips TNT in Game 1
MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra leaned on a sizzling start from import Justin Brownlee and claimed a 102-90 win over TNT in Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, April 9.
Brownlee erupted for 17 of his 31 points in the opening quarter after a perfect trip from downtown as the Gin Kings – seeking a fifth Governors’ Cup crown in its last six editions – gained control of the best-of-seven series.
Setting the tone in the rousing victory, the three-time Best Import shot 5-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first period for a 29-20 lead and the locals followed suit the rest of the way.
Reigning MVP Scottie Thompson notched his second triple-double of the tourney with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, while Jamie Malonzo backstopped Brownlee in scoring with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Malonzo scattered 8 points in the final salvo, all in a 16-7 burst that practically sealed the deal for Ginebra.
The Tropang Giga still trailed by single digits early in the fourth quarter, 67-76, but things went downhill for them after big man Poy Erram fouled out.
Erram exited for his back-to-back fouls on Christian Standhardinger, further crippling the TNT frontcourt unit already missing Kelly Williams, who is out with a calf injury, and Justin Chua, who hurt his knee in the first quarter.
Smelling blood, the Gin Kings unleashed that 16-7 run sparked and capped by three-pointers from Aljon Mariano and Malonzo to mount their biggest lead of the game at 92-74 with under seven minutes remaining.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone admitted being caught by surprise with the way his wards played despite coming off a 10-day break.
“I was worried about our game shape, whether we’d lose game shape over 10 days,” said Cone. “I worried about our rotations, but it all came together well surprisingly and we were able to win.”
Best Player of the Conference favorite Standhardinger chimed in 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Stanley Pringle added 11 points in the win witnessed by 11,580 fans on the 48th founding anniversary of the PBA.
Mariano made his presence felt with 5 points and his stingy defense on Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as the Gin Kings remained unbeaten in five playoff games this conference.
Hollis Jefferson, the frontrunner in the Best Import battle, still churned out 30 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in just his second loss since joining TNT in the middle of the tournament.
Mikey Williams and Calvin Oftana put up 23 and 16 points, respectively, for the Tropang Giga.
The Scores
Barangay Ginebra 102 – Brownlee 31, Malonzo 21, Standhardinger 16, Pringle 11, Thompson 10, Gray 6, Mariano 5, Pinto 2, David 0.
TNT 90 – Hollis-Jefferson 30, M. Williams 23, Oftana 16, Castro 4, Erram 4, Chua 3, Khobuntin 2, Montalbo 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Varilla 0.
Quarters: 29-20, 50-43, 74-62, 102-90.
– Rappler.com