Ginebra shakes off slow start to steamroll Alaska

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MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra bucked a wobbly start before hammering out a 102-83 beatdown over Alaska in the nightcap of Sunday’s PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The crowd darlings’ beloved import Justin Brownlee was in his usual prolific self, scoring 30 points and plucking down 22 boards in the Gin Kings’ conference debut.

But Grand Slam mentor Tim Cone stressed that such dominant showing was all thanks to a collective effort—especially on the defensive end.

“We did a great job defensively. Scottie (Thompson) did a great on the import helping limit him, Japeth (Aguilar) was there for block shots, and Greg (Slaughter) was a presence,” he said.

This couldn’t be more evident in the opening salvo, where the Ginebra swiftly got ifself out of a 7-0 rut and build a cushion—one that the Gin Kings padded on for the next three quarters.

Slaughter and Art dela Cruz, who were both riddled with injuries in the past had 16 and 12 points to pace the locals.

“I’m just glad we caught them early,” Cone said who faced his former ward and deputy in Jeff Cariaso.

Alaska drew 22 points from reinforcement Justin Watts. Vic Manual added 14 more but was the lone local to score in twin digits for the Aces, who absorbed their second straight loss.

Ginebra looks to get a streak going when it faces Phoenix on Saturday also at the Big Dome.