PBA: Ginebra whips import-less NorthPort for second win
Ginebra import Justin Brownlee. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra captured its second straight win blasting NorthPort, 108-82, in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings improved to a 2-0 record to claim second spot in the standings and in the process sent the Cameron Forte-less Batang Pier to a league-worst 0-4 card.
Article continues after this advertisementWasting no time in asserting its dominance, Ginebra took a 27-14 lead at the end of the first and used that as the foundation of its torrid offense.
As the Batang Pier struggled to get to within reasonable distance, the Gin Kings continued to pour on the shots as Japeth Aguilar’s three-point play capped off a 7-0 run for the 92-68 lead with 6:50 to play.
Justin Brownlee finger roll beauty! #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/8GgBERSrd1
— PBA (@pbaconnect) December 17, 2021
A huge part of Ginebra’s aggression was its front court of Aguilar, Christian Standhardinger, and Justin Brownlee as the three meshed flawlessly on both ends of the floor.
“Christian brings a lot of intelligence to our team and he finds Justin in the right spots,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. “Those three blended well on the defensive and offensive sides.”
“We’re also asking Japeth to guard smaller guys in the perimeter and be our help guy so it’s a huge adjustment for him because that’s the only way we can play him and Christian together.”
Brownlee was his usual self, putting up 28 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while Japeth Aguilar had 11 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
Standhardinger had eight points, six rebounds, and eight assists as Arvin Tolentino put up a career-high 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting.
Robert Bolick led NorthPort with 32 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
