MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings advanced to the finals of the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup after defeating NorthPort Batang Pier, 120-107, in Game 4 of the semifinals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee flirted with triple-double 36 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists while Japeth Aguilar added 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
LA Tenorio and Stanley Pringle chipped in 19 and 18 markers, respectively, while Earl Scottie Thompson finished with 14 points.
The Kings wrapped up the best-of-five semis at 2-1.
It surged to a 17-8 start behind Pringle, Tenorio and Brownlee before Batang Pier rallied to within 15-21. Triples by Brownlee and Pringle gave Ginebra a 32-21 edge.
Batang Pier were within 30-41 early in the second period before the Kings created distance behind Aljon Mariano, Brownlee and Aguilar to establish a 56-39 halftime edge.
In the second half, Batang Pier started strong. It trimmed the deficit to 58-66 but outside conversions by Brownlee and Pringle allowed the Kings to take a 74-60 upperhand.
The Kings went for the kill in the fourth quarter. Brownlee, Thompson and Aguilar built a 116-98 advantage with over three minutes left.
Christian Standhardinger tallied double-double 32 points and 15 rebounds, while Ilonggo Juan Paolo Taha and Michael Qualls added 29 and 25 markers, respectively, for the Batang Pier./PN
