MANILA – Justin Brownlee finally got his offensive game going. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings scored a 106-92 victory over TNT Tropang Giga in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player finished with 34 points, including three three-point conversions, to go with six rebounds and four assists as the Gin Kings tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Stephen Holt added 18 points, five steals, three rebounds, and two assists, Maverick Ahanmisi and Japeth Aguilar also ended with 18 apiece, and Earl Scottie Thompson finished with 12 for Ginebra.
Down early in the opening quarter, Brownlee caught fire with inside and outside conversions followed by contributions from Holt and Ahanmisi to take a 30-25 advantage.
The Gin Kings continued their run in the second quarter behind inside connections from Thompson and Aguilar as they established a 54-42 lead at the half.
The Tropang Giga started strong in the third quarter behind Rey Nambatac to cut the deficit to 65-69 but the Gin Kings answered with connections from Holt and Brownlee to increase the lead back to double-digits.
TNT were still hanging around at 90-97 in the fourth quarter but a four-point shot by Ahanmisi, a three-pointer by Holt and a dunk from Brownlee increased Ginebra’s advantage to 106-92.
“Well its a tough call offensively especially in the PBA Finals,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone. “It is not just about scoring, but also defense and the hustle to get the ball.”
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ended with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Calvin Oftana and Nambatac had 26 and 15, respectively, for the reigning champions Tropang Giga./PN
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 106 – Brownlee 34, Ahanmisi 18, J.Aguilar 18, Holt 18, Thompson 12, Abarrientos 5, Devance 1, Tenorio 0, Cu 0, Pinto 0, R. Aguilar 0, Mariano 0.
TNT 92 – Hollis-Jefferson 28, Oftana 26, Nambatac 15, Castro 9, Pogoy 9, Erram 3, Aurin 2, Heruela 0, Khobuntin 0, Williams 0.
Quarterscores: 30-25, 54-42, 85-77, 106-92.
