MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings survived a subpar showing from Justin Brownlee to eliminate Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 96-94 in Game 4 of their 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kings will face defending champion San Miguel Beermen in the Finals.
Joe Devance and Greg Slaughter led Kings with 19 points each while LA Tenorio came up with clutch baskets to finish with 16 markers. Ginebra wrapped up the series 3-1.
Kings’ Brownlee was held to just 12 points after exploding with 44 markers in Game 3 to go along with 17 rebounds and eight assists.
Ginebra opened the match with a 13-6 edge on early hits from Brownlee and Tenorio. Painters closed the gap 15-17 but Kings pulled away anew 25-20, highlighted by back-to-back hits by Mark Caguioa.
Kings pulled to a 34-24 lead on back-to-back treys by Jeff Chan before widening it to 40-26 on inside hits by Slaughter. Painters countered with a run to come to within 40-47 at the half.
Painters pulled to within 45-47 at the onset of the third period but inside hits from Slaughter allowed Kings to pull away again 58-45. Rain or Shine responded with baskets from Anthony Washington to get close 65-70.
Rain or Shine kept the game close in the fourth and managed to snatch a slim lead 90-88 on a basket by Gabriel Norwood. Kings countered with a 7-0 blast from Tenorio and Devance for a 95-90 edge.
Inside conversions by Reginald Johnson and free throws from Chris Tiu let Painters cut the deficit 94-95. After a split free throw by Chan, Painters turned the ball over, allowing Kings to escape with a win.
Johnson finished with double-double 22 points and 16 rebounds while Raymond Almazan added 13 markers for Painters, which finished on third place for the first time under head coach Carlos Garcia./PN
