INSIDE dominance was the key for Barangay Ginebra as it muscled its way to a 120-99 drubbing of Kia Picanto for its second straight win to continue its climb in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Justin Brownlee had his best showing in the conference thus far, flirting with a triple-double with a game-high 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as he once again provided what his team needed to lead the way for the Gin Kings.
He had plenty of help from teammates as three more Ginebra chargers scored in double-figures.
Greg Slaughter continued his progress, scoring 18 points and grabbing six rebounds while Mark Caguioa added 16 more markers. Both of them came off the bench.
LA Tenorio was once again steady, giving Ginebra 10 points and five assists for more help.
Barangay Ginebra moves up to 2-1 in the standings while the Picanto remained win-less, losing its fourth straight to fall to a dismal 0-4 card at the bottom.
Wasting no time, Ginebra established its game very early, zooming in to a huge 28-13 spread after the first 10 minutes with ferocious start.
It protected that lead at the end of one quarter, 33-18, and it basically held on for good and cruised until the final horn as the team continued to impose its will for the second straight game.
At the half, the Gin Kings held a 15-point lead, 58-43.
Back-to-back triples by Brownlee and Tenorio gave Ginebra a huge 64-43 cushion with just a minute into the second half.
Ginebra’s biggest lead stood at 34 points after three straight jumpers from Caguioa to open up the fourth to make it 98-64.
Reden Celda led Kia with a team-high 21 points off the bench.
Meanwhile, a battle between two titans is occurring as of this report as Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beer is renewing its rivalry with TNT KaTropa in a rematch of the Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Both teams are going for a second consecutive win.
The Scores:
BARANGAY GINEBRA 120—Brownlee 26, Slaughter 18, Caguioa 16, Tenorio 10, Aguilar 9, Ferrer 9, Taha 8, Ellis 8, Cruz 6, Thompson 4, Devance 4, Jamito 2, Marcelo 0, Helterbrand 0, Mariano 0.
KIA PICANTO 99—Celda 21, Khobuntin 16, Cummings 14, Revilla 9, Paniamogan 7, Corpuz 7, Nimes 6, Ballesteros 6, Camson 6, Yee 5, Elorde 2, Jaime 0, Salva 0, Deutchman 0, Galanza 0.
Quarter scores: 33-18, 58-43, 92-64, 120-99.