Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson were crowned the best players of the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup, and they made sure that those weren’t the only things their fans are going to celebrate on Wednesday night.
Barangay Ginebra’s tireless duo took turns in a blistering third-quarter attack, and then made sure in the payoff frame that the enemy is unable to come back, carving out a 95-84 victory over Meralco at Smart Araneta Coliseum and tying this best-of-seven finalé at 2-2.
Brownlee, the Best Import awardee, finished with 27 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists while Thompson, hailed Best Player of the Conference, chipped in 27-4-4 as the Gin Kings plunged this championship series to another deadlock before 17,298 spectators—a new pandemic record turnout in the local sporting scene.
Ginebra import Justin Brownlee. PBA IMAGES
“Our guys are (veterans) and they already knew what to do,” said coach Tim Cone, who also drew commendable outings from Christian Standhardinger and LA Tenorio, who hit timely shots in the final frame the Bolts at arm’s length until the final horn.
Meralco got the goods from import Tony Bishop Jr. who finished with 25 points and eight rebounds. Chris Newsome, Aaron Black and Raymond Alamazan all finished with double figures but sputtered when the Bolts pulled within nine, 93-84, with 1:11 remaining.
The two clubs break the tie on Sunday, 6:30 p.m. again at this cavernous arena in Quezon City.