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Friday, March 29, 2024

Meralco, Ginebra showdown looms

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LOOKS like the ongoing 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup will be a repeat of its 2017 version.

Not that anyone’s complaining because the 2016 edition was a historic showdown of epic proportions won by a last-second three-pointer at the dying seconds of the deciding game.

The defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and last year’s runner-ups Meralco Bolts are again on top of the standings leading to the playoffs.

The Bolts (8 wins, 2 losses) exerted just enough effort to trample import-less GlobalPort Batang Pier side, 100-93, and gain a share of the lead with Ginebra at the tail end of the eliminations at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Batang Pier virtually lost the before it even started as they had to play All-Filipino as import replacement Jamal Thomas was measured above the 6-foot-5 height limit.

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Meralco Bolts import Allen Durham (5) is unstoppable as he glides to the hoop against the GlobalPort Batang Pier.

Chris Newsome led all scorers with a game-high 28 points. He also collected seven rebounds and five assists. The Bolts and the Gin Kings (8-2) thus tied at the top of the standings.

Do-everything import Allen Durham was a again a monster as he put up another triple double with 22 points, 22 rebounds and 10 assists.

The two teams are assured of at least a tie for the top four slots which will give them a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

The Batang Pier gave a good account late in the game on flurries. But it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. GlobalPort ended the conference with just three wins and eight losses.

Meanwhile, at the other side of what is shaping up as the other side of the championship draw Ginebra import Justin Brownlee gave the Gin Kings an early boost to beat the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, 89-82.

Meralco Bolts playmaker Chris Newsome (middle) passes off to teammate Scottie Thompson (left) during their game against the GlobalPort Batang Pier.

The Gin Kings leaned on Brownlee to grab the early initiative to beat back the challenge of the Elasto Painters.

Later late in the game Brownlee, Thompson and Tenorio joined hands to beat back the final rally of the Elasto Painters to grab at least a tie or the fourth spot after the single-round robin eliminations.

Failing to complete a rally from 16 points down, the Elasto Painters are chasing a top four finish. They are guaranteed a berth in the playoffs but may have to face a twice-to-win handicap.

Chasing the two leaders are the NLEX Road Warriors (7-3), the TNT KaTropa (6-3) and San Miguel Beer (6-3). The top eight slots to the playoffs are already decided but the teams are playing for better position

Import J’Nathan Bullock and local gunners Jericho Cruz, Gabe Norwood and Chris Tiu led the Rain Or Shine rally. They managed to cut the gape at 80-78. But that was as close as they could get. The Gin Kings behind Thompson, Brownlee and Tenorio strung up the baskets to push ahead beyond recall, 86-78, with just a minute left.

Meralco Bolts spitfire Mike Tolomia (middle) protects the basketball against three GlobalPort Batang Pier defenders.

Brownlee led the scoring parade with 28 points. Japeth Aguilar went scoreless but Tenorio, Thompson and Greg Slaughter picked up the scoring slack.

The Elasto Painters made a stand but could not catch up. The Gin Kings built a huge advantage early and hung on to beat back the chasing Elasto Painters.

Ginebra is battles TNT KaTropa as of press time and the Bolts square off against Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beer today. It’s not set in stone but all indications point to a repeat of last year’s PBA finals all over again.

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