MANILA — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings leaned on a strong start before holding off Terrafirma Dyip, 111-103, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
Justin Brownlee led the way with 28 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals as the Gin Kings improved to a 5-2 record.
Rhon Jay Abarrientos and Stephen Holt added 17 markers apiece, while Earl Scottie Thompson contributed 10 markers for the Gin Kings, which tied Meralco Bolts and TNT Tropang 5G at third place in the standings.
The Gin Kings started hot early behind outside conversions from Abarrientos and Brownlee for a 15-point edge, but the Dyip rallied back to cut the deficit to 56-50 at the half.
In the second half, the Gin Kings pulled away anew behind outside conversions from Holt as the lead reached as high as 27 points before the Dyip made a late run to cut it down to eight.
Jerrick Ahanmisi top-scored for the Dyip with 27 points, rookie center Shawn Umali added 15 markers, while Ali Mubashar and Paolo Hernandez had 14 and 12, respectively, as they fell to a 3-5 record.
Meanwhile, TNT Tropang 5G banked on the frontline tandem of Bol Bol and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to score a 97-92 victory over Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
Down 73-78 midway through the fourth quarter, the Tropang 5G leaned on consecutive baskets from Bol to tie the score at 78-all before pulling away at 88-81 with conversions from Ganuelas-Rosser and Kevin Ferrer.
The Giant Risers still tried to keep the match close at 86-89, but back-to-back inside hits from Bol and Ganuelas-Rosser and free throws by Jayson Castro sealed the win for TNT.
Bol finished with a conference-high of 50 points to go with 17 rebounds, six blocks, four assists, and a steal to be named Player of the Game as the Tropang 5G improved to a 5-2 record./PN
