PBA: Brownlee scores career-best 51, Ginebra clips San Miguel

Justin Brownlee Barangay Ginebra PBA

Ginebra import Justin Brownlee against San Miguel in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Buoyed by the indefatigable Justin Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra on Tuesday night nipped San Miguel Beer, 108-102, to barge into the win column of the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The club’s resident import shot the lights out at Smart Araneta Coliseum with a career-best 51 points while adding 13 rebounds, five assists, and six steals to his name.

“Our guys just came out and played. They kept their poise, came down and got good shots. They found Justin and I think that was really key. I don’t think we did that in our last game when we were up in Candon—locating Justin at crucial times,” head coach Tim Cone said of his charges, who lost to Rain or Shine, 73-64, last weekend on the road.

READ: Felix Lemetti helps Rain or Shine shut down Ginebra

“Just the fact of being able to come here after coming from Candon—a six-hour bus ride and a tough shooting night. I’ve never seen a team shoot so poorly,” he went on with a chuckle. “That was a really tough night for us and just really appreciative that the guys didn’t come out tentative … And that’s basically what you do with San Miguel.”

Japeth Aguilar chipped in 21 points, while RJ Abarrientos added 13 more in the effort that had the club improving to 1-1 in Group B of the showcase.

San Miguel import Jordan Adams had 23 points and seven rebounds, while June Mar Fajardo had 17 and 17. CJ Perez added 14 while Terrence Romeo and Jeron Teng both finished with at least 12 points for the powerhouse club whose hot start ended after two games.

Ginebra plays Blackwater next, in a clash set Aug. 30. San Miguel, meanwhile, shoots for a rebound victory against NLEX a day later.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 108 – Brownlee 51, J.Aguilar 21, Abarrientos 13, Thompson 7, Holt 5, Ahanmisi 4, Go 4, Tenorio 3, Cu 0, Adamos 0, Garcia 0

SAN MIGUEL 102 – Adams 23, Fajardo 17, Perez 14, Romeo 13, Teng 12, Ross 5, Rosales 4, Trollano 4, Cruz 4, Manuel 4, Tautuaa 2, Lassiter 0

QUARTERS: 24-24, 46-46, 74-79, 108-102.

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