Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings launched their campaign in the 47th PBA Governors’ Cup in style after they repulsed the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 116-108, on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Resident import Justin Brownlee spearheaded the Kings’ rousing debut in the season-ending conference, completing a splendid triple-double show with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Seeing action for the first time since their title run in the Commissioner’s Cup, the Kings turned up the heat in the fourth quarter that saw them uncorking an 11-0 run that ripped apart what was once a close game.
The Elasto Painters were ahead, 93-90, when the Gin Kings launched a back-breaking 11-0 run and surged to a 101-93 cushion in the final 6:02.
Japeth Aguilar added 18 points, Scottie Thompson had 15, while Pringle and Jamie Malonzo pitched in 14 each for the Kings.
Nards Pinto contributed 12 but five of which came in that decisive 11-0 run that allowed Ginebra to take control.
Michael Qualls finished with 23 points and Beau Belga had a productive night with 21 markers but the Elasto Painters still slumped to their fourth loss in as many games.
In the first game, the San Miguel Beermen picked up another win after they escaped sister-team Magnolia Hotshots, 100-98.
Cameron Clark netted 19 and Marcio Lassiter had 18 for San Miguel, which joined Converge and NLEX at the number one spot with identical 4-0 (win-loss) slates.
CJ Perez contributed 17 points, June Mar Fajardo piled 16 markers and 10 boards while Simon Enciso added 12 points and nine assists in a balanced San Miguel attack.
Paul Lee paced Magnolia with 19 points but air-balled a potential game-winning triple in the dying seconds.
Jio Jalalon scored 17 while import Eric McCree only had 13 points for the slumping Hotshots, who crashed to 0-3.
Image courtesy of PBA Media Bureau
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