Ginebra, red-hot Brownlee torch San Miguel to open PBA semis

Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee shoots against San Miguel in Game 1 of their best-of-seven PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals series.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Justin Brownlee went on a tear from the four-point line as Barangay Ginebra rolled to a 122-105 win over San Miguel Beer to open the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals on a bright note Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Brownlee finished with 33 points after knocking down five four-pointers on top of eight rebounds and five assists which helped the Gin Kings break loose and draw first blood in their best-of-seven series with the sister team Beermen.

He also drained three of Ginebra’s 12 triples to also highlight why the crowd favorites were able to maximize a nine-day rest after making short work of old rival Meralco with a three-game sweep of the quarterfinals.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals

Ginebra won in the first meeting of both teams since San Miguel’s 49-point rout in the second round of the group stage.

Game 2 of the series is set Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the Gin Kings looking to go two in a row over the weary Beermen.

Stephen Holt had 30 points, eight rebounds and four assists in his first semifinal game while rookie RJ Abarrientos added 13 and 10 points, respectively, with the latter also producing six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.

READ: Ginebra sweeps Meralco to reach PBA Governors’ Cup semis

Brownlee erupted for 20 points in the third after firing three from four and two from three as Ginebra turned a 63-58 halftime lead into a blowout.

Import EJ Anosike finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals but San Miguel fell three days after surviving Converge in a quarterfinal series that reached a deciding Game 5.

Marcio Lassiter scored 18 and June Mar Fajardo made 16 points and 16 rebounds in the San Miguel defeat.