Brownlee, Mariano push Gin Kings past Beermen
PBA IMAGES
Depleted Barangay Ginebra toppled San Miguel Beer, 110-102, in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee came alive in the second half but the Gin Kings, who missed the services of six of their players including star big men Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar due to injuries, also found an unlikely hero in Aljon Mariano, who erupted for 20 points on 7-of-7 shooting from the field.
“I was gonna say that we were fortunate that June Mar and Marcio didn’t play today but on the other hand, we didn’t have a few guys as well,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, referring to reigning four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and sharpshooter Marcio Lassiter. “But this was a key game for both of us. I’m just glad we got one.”
“We’re trying to survive and stay in the top four race while all these injuries are happening.”
Up by only a point, 85-84, the Gin Kings went on a 16-6 run to close out the Beermen capped off by a Brownlee basket with 2:30 remaining.
Brownlee fired a game-high 29 points, 21 coming in the second half, that went with 19 rebounds and seven assists.
Christian Standhardinger and Arwind Santos combined for 47 points and 19 rebounds for the Beermen in the absence of Fajardo (shin) and Lassiter (sore eyes).
