The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the TNT Tropang Giga, 85-73, in Game 3 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee led the Kings with 18 points, including his first three-pointer of the series, along with 13 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks, helping the Gin Kings cut the series deficit to 1-2.
Maverick Ahanmisi added 16 points, while Earl Scottie Thompson contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Japeth Aguilar and Stephen Holt each chipped in 10 points.
LA Tenorio, who did not play in the first two games of the finals, made a surprise start and contributed nine points and four steals for the Gin Kings.
With just seven minutes left in the game and a slim 68-67 lead, Brownlee ignited the Gin Kings’ surge by hitting a three-pointer, followed by inside baskets from Ahanmisi and Thompson that extended their lead to 75-67.
The Tropang Giga responded, narrowing the deficit to 75-69 with a basket from Glenn Khobuntin. However, Brownlee answered back with a jumper, and consecutive scores from Ahanmisi pushed the Gin Kings’ advantage to 81-69.
“We certainly played a lot better in this game, played better defense, and I mean, coming from the San Miguel Beermen series, we’re just a little worn out, and the two games woke us up,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
“But this one tonight won’t mean much if we do not get one on Sunday; obviously we used a lot of energy to win this game, and hopefully we still have the energy to play on Sunday,” he added.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals; John Paul Erram added 12 markers; and Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy ended with 10 apiece for the Tropang Giga.
The post Ginebra grinds out Game 3 win, cuts PBA Finals deficit to 1-2 first appeared on Fastbreak.
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