Surging Ginebra eases past Alaska
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Barangay Ginebra got off to a blistering start and never letup to torch Alaska, 105-86, and stretch its winning streak in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings took a 30-16 lead in the first 12 minutes of the game before extending it to as high as 33 points, 85-52, late in the third quarter.
Article continues after this advertisement“I was surprised by what happened in the first half. I don’t know what we’re doing that’s making us play as well as we are,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
“We’re playing really well. Our defense has really, really stepped up. I thought that we did a lot of things really well that disrupted what they do.”
Justin Brownlee set the tone for Ginebra, scoring 17 of his game-high 28 points in the first half. He also had nine rebounds and eight assists through three quarters.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Kings rolled to their fourth consecutive victory and climbed to a share with the GlobalPort Batang Pier in sixth place at 5-5.
Alaska opened the third quarter with a 10-1 run but Ginebra quickly stopped the bleeding behind Brownlee and the steady quarterbacking of LA Tenorio.
Vic Manuel continued his steak of 20-point games after scoring 20 points for the Aces (7-3). Manuel has now scored at least 20 points for the ninth straight game.
