Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings got off to a hot start and never looked back, beating the TNT Tropang Giga, 102-90, to draw first blood in the 47th PBA Governors’ Cup Best-of-Seven Finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings dominated the Easter Sunday showdown from the get go, taking a 29-20 lead after the first quarter and took control the rest of the way.
Ginebra had a 50-43 lead at the half.
TNT rallied in the third and moved within 52-54. Just as everyone thought they were ready for a massive comeback, the Tropa went cold again and the Kings were quick to capitalize by restoring a 74-62 edge, going into the final quarter.
The Tropa could not make a serious run again as the Kings iced the contest, pulling away.
Justin Brownlee led the way for the Kings by erupting for a game-high 31 points.
Jamie Malonzo, Christian Standhardinger, Stanley Pringle and Scottie Thompson finished in twin digits to provide Brownlee the much-needed support.
Malonzo tallied 21 points, Standhardinger added 16, Pringle donated 11, and Thompson tossed in 10.
Former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the Tropa with 30 points, while Mikey Williams added 23.
Calvin Oftana was the only other TNT player to score in double figures with 16.
Image courtesy of PBA Media Bureau
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
