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.
“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.
The 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.