Brownlee, Ginebra bombard SMB from long range in PBA semis opener

Sports

BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim Cone has never been and will never be a fan of a four-point shot, a controversial innovation that the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has implemented this season. But on a night that Cone and the Kings needed to start their semifinal round campaign on a bright note, four-point bombs became their main weapon.

Justin Brownlee caught fire from four-point territory and powered Ginebra to a one-sided 122-105 win over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinal series of the 49th PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday night, October 9, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Ginebra easily got an extra 20 points when Brownlee detonated five four-point bombs on his way to finishing with 33 points to go with eight rebounds, five assists, and a steal. The naturalized Filipino player was in his best element in the third period where he unloaded 20 of his total output that enabled the Kings to break the game wide open.

Ginebra took a slim 63-58 lead at the half before Brownlee went berserk in the third that saw the Kings mount a huge 97-78 lead going into the final quarter.

Stephen Holt was also a big factor in the lopsided victory as he tallied 30 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. RJ Abarrientos added 13 points while Scottie Thompson collected 10 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds.

While Ginebra’s four-point conversions made a big difference in the win, Cone said it is not still going to be a big part of the team’s game.

“If it’s out there, we’re gonna use that as a weapon. But It doesn’t mean that I agree with that,” Cone told reporters in a post-game presser.

EJ Anosike scattered 27, June Mar Fajardo piled up 16 points, 16 rebounds, and Marcio Lassiter had 18 for San Miguel, which appeared still weary coming off a grueling five-game quarterfinal series against the Converge FiberXers.

THE SCORES:

GINEBRA (122) – Brownlee 33, Holt 30, Abarrientos 13, Thompson 10, Ahanmisi 9, J.Aguilar 9, Pinto 9, Devance 8, Adamos 1, Cu 0.

SAN MIGUEL BEER (105) – Anosike 27, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 16, Perez 13, Ross 7, Rosales 6, Romeo 6, Enciso 6, Cruz 4, Tautuaa 2, Nava 0, Brondial 0.

QUARTERSCORES : 27-28, 63-58, 97-78,

122-105.(CCM)