Ginebra dethrones San Miguel, takes Comm’s Cup title

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Justin Brownlee (right) looks to shake off the defense of San Miguel Beermen’s Matt Ganuelas-Rosser in Game 6 of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. PBA

MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings put an end to San Miguel Beermen’s reign with a 93-77 rout in Game 6 of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Justin Brownlee had an all-around game of 31 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and four blocks for Kings.

Gregory Slaughter added 13 markers, Finals MVP Earl Scottie Thompson had double-double 12 points and 13 rebounds, while LA Tenorio and Jeffrei Chan contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Both teams had a slow start in the opening quarter but Kings was slightly ahead 14-12 on shots from Brownlee and Thompson. Beermen countered with 5 straight points from Renaldo Balkman and Alex Cabagnot to take a 17-14 lead.

Ginebra went ahead 20-19 on back-to-back treys by Chan but San Miguel slowly pulled to a 33-23 advantage on inside hits by June Mar Fajardo. Kings trimmed the deficit 35-38 at the half on baskets by Thompson and Brownlee.

Kings opened the third quarter with consecutive hits from Brownlee and Joe Devance for a 51-42 lead. Beermen came to within seven but a triple by Tenorio and an inside hit by Slaughter pushed Kings’ lead to 62-46.

Beermen tried to make its last push in the fourth as it came to within 14 but Kings went for the finishing blow behind Brownlee, Slaughter and Chan – and made its largest lead in the game at 22 points on a layup by Solomon Mercado.

“I am speechless, especially after our two tambak losses to San Miguel, but the players showed that they want it,” said Kings head coach Tim Cone. “But one championship does not deny the fact that San Miguel are still the best team in PBA.”

Fajardo finished the match with double-double 29 points and 15 rebounds for Beermen. Balkman added 24 points and 14 rebounds while Brian Heruela contributed 11 points.

Beermen failed to rely on its usual stars – Chris Ross, Christian Standhardinger and Marcio Lassiter were held scoreless while Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos were just good for a combined 11 points./PN

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SCORES

GINEBRA 93 – Brownlee 31, Slaughter 13, Thompson 12, Tenorio 11, Chan 10, Mercado 6, Ferrer 5, Devance 4, J. Aguilar 1

SAN MIGUEL 77 – Fajardo 29, Balkman 24, Heruela 11, Cabagnot 6, Santos 5, Pessumal 2, Ross 0, Lassiter 0, Standhardinger 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Mamaril 0, Vigil 0

QUARTERS – 14-17, 35-38, 62-46, 93-77

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