Brownlee rescues Ginebra vs stubborn Columbian

Ginebra star import Justin Brownlee. PBA images

MANILA, Philippines—Justin Brownlee bailed Barangay Ginebra out for the second straight game, this time over hard-fighting Columbian in overtime, 127-123, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The beloved Gin Kings import registered 50 points, setting a new career-best in scoring after firing 49 in a previous match against Magnolia. Brownlee went on to add 14 rebounds as Ginebra tabbed the fourth seed going into the playoffs with a 7-4 card.

“That might be the best non-bearing game in the PBA history—at least that I was a part of,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “Neither team wanted to give in.”

Japeth Aguilar tossed in 20 while Stanley Pringle, LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson added 12 or more in the Gin Kings’ final outing for the elimination phase.

Columbian drew 45 points from Lester Prosper, who logged his finest scoring performance in the PBA. CJ Perez had 20 while Glenn Khobuntin 17 in the young club’s final stand.

“We just tried to continue our momentum, integrate Stanley further into our system, and continue our momentum,” Cone said of the team’s motivations against the Dyip, who were already out of playoff contention heading into the game due to an inferior quotient.

The scores:
Ginebra 127 – Brownlee 50, Aguilar 20, Pringle 16, Tenorio 15, Thompson 12, Slaughter 9, Devance 3, Mariano 2, Caguioa 0.
Columbian 123 – Prosper 45, Perez 20, Khobuntin 17, McCarthy 14, Cahilig 11, Escoto 9, Celda 4, Camson 3, Reyes 0, King, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 23-33, 55-51, 85-82, 113-113, 127-123.