PBA: Jeremiah Gray delivers in clutch as Ginebra escapes NLEX

Ginebra’s Jeremiah Gray delivers for the Gin Kings in the latest win. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–

Barangay Ginebra escape the jaws of defeat and pulled off a stunning 114-111 victory over erstwhile unbeaten NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie Jeremiah Gray delivered a go-ahead three, his third after the Gin Kings were pushed on the brink when the Road Warriors led 108-101 with over two minutes left in the contest.

Gray finished with 19 points and Ginebra won its second in as many games despite missing Christian Standhardinger due to a knee injury sustained in practice and Japeth Aguilar also nursing the same ailment after an awkward fall early in the third quarter.

“With Japeth and Christian out, we need someone like Jeremiah to step up for us and he did it tonight,” said coach Tim Cone.

WATCH: Ginebra turns on their defense in the clutch to gut out a 114-111 win against NLEX. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/bHs4fFSIqQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 8, 2023

Justin Brownlee scored 44 points, 16 rebounds and six assists as he prevailed in his import duel with new NLEX import Wayne Selden.

Selden had 43 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals but the Road Warriors couldn’t seal the deal.

NLEX absorbed its first loss after starting the third conference with four straight victories with original import Jonathon Simmons.

Two Gray triples plus a couple of foul shots from Brownlee put Ginebra in front 109-108, but NLEX got the lead back when Kevin Alas made a three-point play for a two-point lead.

Gray, however, came through once hitting a corner triple for a 112-111 Ginebra lead before Alas committed a turnover on the next play.

The scores:

GINEBRA 114 — Brownlee 44, Gray 19, Thompson 12, Pringle 10, Malonzo 9, Aguilar J. 9, Pinto 8, Tenorio 3, Pessumal 0, Aguilar R. 0, Mariano 0.

NLEX 111 — Selden Jr. 43, Alas 22, Ganuelas-Rosser 19, Rosales 10, Trollano 6, Semerad 6, Gabo 3, Anthony 2, Pascual 0, Doliguez 0.

Quarters: 28-25, 59-55, 84-92, 114-111.