Ginebra seals quarterfinals slot, holds off San Miguel

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Barangay Ginebra clinched a spot in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals after scoring a 107-99 victory over San Miguel Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Gin Kings rose to 6-2 while the Beermen, who have already booked a quarterfinals ticket coming into the game, slid to the same record.

Ginebra held a 90-76 lead midway through the fourth period but the Beermen managed to cut the deficit to three, 93-90, after Alex Cabagnot capped off San Miguel’s 14-3 run with a 3-pointer at the 2:50 mark of the fourth. 

But an 8-0 Ginebra run extinguished San Miguel’s hopes as Justin Brownlee iced a couple of free throws at the 2:00 mark to give the Gin Kings a 98-90 lead.

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said they’ve built an early foundation in the first quarter and that initial spurt eventually carried them throughout the game and helped them hold off San Miguel.

“We caught them a little flat in the beginning of the game and we were able to take advantage of that,” said Cone, whose team outscored San Miguel, 31-15, in the opening period. “We carried that pretty much the whole game.”

Brownlee led Ginebra with 34 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals while LA Tenorio, who was playing in his 501st straight game, added 20 points, six rebounds, and eight assists.

Charles Rhodes led San Miguel with 26 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and two blocks while Alex Cabagnot added 20 points and seven boards.