Justin Brownlee leads Ginebra to a breakthrough win. PBA IMAGES
Justin Brownlee finally pulled off a breakthrough win with the Barangay Ginebra Kings via a 93-85 triumph over the NLEX Road Warriors in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup Petron Saturday Special at Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi City.
Brownlee’s efforts had gone for naught for the Kings in their last three matches, including an overtime loss to San Miguel Beer, and they badly needed this one to keep them in the hunt for a quarterfinal spot.
Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar also delivered for the Kings, who relied mostly on their might in the paint to send the Road Warriors to their sixth defeat in eight games.
The crowd favorites only needed a big run early in the third with Sol Mercado and Joe DeVance complementing Ginebra’s frontline to seal the outcome.
Without reliable gunners Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas, the Road Warriors lacked the firepower to thwart the Kings.
Arnett Moultrie gave his all for NLEX, scoring 30 points on top of 19 rebounds, four steals and one block, but wasn’t able to get the support from a crew led by Emman Monfort, the only local player who finished in double figures with 14 points.
Alex Mallari bungled 11 of his 13 shots from the field, missing all of his five three-point attempts.
The Kings moved up with their second win in seven outings, but remained in a tight situation with four games left in their elimination-round campaign.
Meanwhile, Alaska will play minus Calvin Abueva when the Aces face Magnolia on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The Alaska team has placed Calvin Abueva on indefinite suspension following his more than one week absence from practice and failing to advise the coaching staff and management of his whereabouts,” said team owner Wilfred Uytengsu in a statement.
“While the team understands Calvin may be going through some troubling personal issues, it does not obviate his responsibility to his team. The suspension is effective immediately,” said Uytengsu.
Abueva left his team just minutes prior to tip-off against GlobalPort last week to attend to a pressing family issue. Despite the sanction, Uytengsu said Abueva would still be allowed to play for Gilas Pilipinas if national coach Chot Reyes selects him.