Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justine Brownlee during a PBA Governors’ Cup game against Rain or SHine. –PBA IMAGES
Barangay Ginebra used a fiery third quarter and then an even stronger finishing kick to take down Rain or Shine, 124-102, in the PBA Governors’ Cup in their much-anticipated rematch on Friday night at the Big Dome.
Justin Brownlee put up 40 points and 10 rebounds and was big in the third period before Stephen Holt shot the lights out from deep in the final period on his way to finishing 18 points as the crowd darlings improved to a 5-2 win-loss record in Group B.
“Man, they (Rain or Shine) were coming up the floor quick. Our key was whether we could play them in the fourth quarter. Thankfully, we got a lead going into the fourth and that took a little bit of pressure off of us,” said coach Tim Cone, whose charges also avenged their narrow loss to the ElastoPainters in Candon, Ilocos Sur, early into the conference.
READ: PBA: Felix Lemetti helps Rain or Shine shut down Ginebra
Japeth Aguilar added 21 points and eight rebounds, as Scottie Thompson 17 points and eight assists in the club’s fourth-straight victory.
Aaron Fuller finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds, Jhonard Clarito tossed in 16 points while Felix Lemetti and Adrian Nocum added twin-digit scores for Rain or Shine, which missed out on a chance to beat a version of Barangay Ginebra that has been humming well this tournament.
Coach Yeng Guiao said earlier this week that he’d start thinking his squad has a chance at the title when they beat the Gin Kings.
READ: PBA: ‘Blackwater is for real,’ says Ginebra coach Tim Cone
A dampener of a moment was Isaac Go going down with a feared knee ligament tear following a sequence with Lemetti. The severity of his injury remains unknown as of press time.
Ginebra battles San Miguel on Sunday while Rain or Shine shoots for a rebound against NLEx on Tuesday next week.