PBA: Ginebra grinds out win over import-less TNT to grab third place

Ginebra import Justin Brownlee. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra bucked the determined challenge of import-less TNT to hack out an 89-85 victory and clinch a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Christian Standhardinger broke an 81-all tie with a go-ahead basket, Justin Brownlee made four of six free throws while a pair of turnovers from the Tropang Giga’s RR Pogoy resulted in the Gin Kings’ fifth consecutive victory.

Ginebra climbed to third place in the standings at 7-2, leapfrogging Converge after the latter’s loss to NorthPort in the opener while only trailing leader Bay Area (9-2) and Magnolia (8-2).

“I’m happy with the result [but] I’m not happy with the process of getting the result,” admitted coach Tim Cone, whose team lost a big lead in the first half which led to a seesaw battle until the end.

The Tropang Giga also came into the contest playing without import Cam Oliver due to an injury while also losing Jayson Castro who twisted his ankle in the second half.

But TNT fell to 4-6 after its fourth defeat in the last five games, dropping to a tie for ninth with Rain or Shine and a half-game below Meralco and San Miguel Beer, two teams sharing seventh and eighth with similar 4-5 slates.

Brownlee had 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three blocks to lead Ginebra’s triumph.

Mikey Williams sparked a comeback in the second quarter before finishing with 20 points for the slumping Tropang Giga.

The scores:

GINEBRA 89 — Brownlee 21, Pringle 12, Thompson 10, J.Aguilar 9, Tenorio 8, Mariano 8, Malonzo 8, Standhardinger 8, Gray 5, Pinto 0.

TNT 85 — Williams M. 20, Pogoy 18, Erram 16, Khobuntin 10, Castro 7, Oftana 6, Williams K. 4, Tungcab 2, Heruela 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Soyud 0.

Quarters: 34-22, 53-45, 68-71, 89-85.