Ginebra’s beloved import Justin Brownlee steps up anew. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Pushed to the limit for the first time in three weeks, Barangay Ginebra wriggled out of Magnolia’s clutches just in time to post an 85-79 victory Friday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at Mall of Arena in Pasay.
Limited most of the night, Justin Brownlee and Stanley Pringle hit the shots the Gin Kings needed to be able to snare the headstart in their race-to-two contest with the Hotshots.
“Magnolia really did a good job muddying up the game,” coach Tim Cone said. “They kept the pace slow, they kept a great job limiting the touches of Justin and Stanley.”
Barangay Ginebra’s do-it-all import finished with 20 points to lead all of the Gin Kings, while the spitfire guard tossed in 18. The pair combined in the Gin Kings’ rally to break the knot at 77 and eventually escape with the victory.
Magnolia got the scoring goods from Paul Lee, who finished with 24, and Rakeem Christmas who added 18 more, in a losing stand that invoked the memories of the recent Philippine Cup where the Hotshots absorbed a series-opening loss, only to come back roaring to win the round.
And that is exactly what Cone is worried about, despite the victory.
“We’ve been here twice already. Obviously, we’re not ready to celebrate anything at this point. We know how good they are,” he said.
“As much as we won, it feels like a loss. I gotta handle it better and make sure we’re better prepared,” Cone said referring to their rematch slated on Tuesday at the Big Dome.
The Scores
Ginebra 85 – Brownlee 20, Pringle 18, Aguilar 14, Tenorio 11, Devance 6, Thompson 6, Slaughter 6, Caguioa 4, Mariano 0.
Magnolia 79 – Lee 24, Christmas 18, Barroca 11, Sangalang 10, Dela Rosa 5, Jalalon 5, Simon 4, Reavis 2, Gamalinda 0, Ramos 0, Melton 0, Pingris 0, Brondial 0.
Quarters: 26-23, 48-44, 66-60, 85-79.