Behind a monster performance from Justin Brownlee, Barangay Ginebra picked up a 109-101 victory over the Alaska Aces in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup, staying undefeated while snapping the Aces' three-game winning streak on Sunday.
Brownlee was absolutely unstoppable, tallying 45 points to go along with 11 rebounds and nine assists.
He was the only option on offense for Barangay Ginebra in the last three minutes, as free throws from Vic Manuel brought the Aces to with four points, 98-94. Brownlee scattered nine points in that stint, answering every basket from Manuel and a triple by Chris Banchero.
"We're really happy to be able to beat Alaska on a back to back," a weary Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said. "We used a lot of energy to escape Columbia a couple of nights ago, and to turnaround and play Alaska is really tough. We're fortunate to get through it."
However, Brownlee wasn't alone, as Japeth Aguilar shook off a lingering ankle injury to chip in 24 points on 9/12 field goals, all in the second half. He also hauled down 10 rebounds in the game.
Alaska was actually the squad that burst out of the gate, opening with a 10-3 run to start the game. However, Ginebra recovered with an 11-0 run, giving them a 20-14 lead at the end of the first period.
Ginebra remained ahead of Alaska in the second and third quarters, before disaster struck the Aces in the final minute of the third period. Import Mike Harris crumpled to the floor with an ankle injury, and had to be helped to the bench. He was unable to return.
Despite Harris' absence, Alaska still stayed within striking distance led by a scorching shooting performance from Manuel. In typical Muscleman fashion, he came off the bench to much-needed offense for the Aces.
However it wasn't enough as Brownlee kept Ginebra ahead of Alaska in the end game, scoring on a dazzling array of drives and jumpers to deliver the Kings' second straight win.
Manuel's 28 points paced Alaska, while Harris contributed 23 points and 19 rebounds before exiting the game in the third. Chris Banchero dropped 21 points, five rebounds and 10 assists in the losing cause.
With the win, Barangay Ginebra climbed to 2-0, while Alaska absorbed its first defeat of the Governors' Cup and dropped to 3-1 in the standings.
THE SCORES
Ginebra 109 - Brownlee 45, Aguilar 24, Ferrer 11, Slaughter 9, Thompson 8, Chan 5, Caguioa 4, Tenorio 3, Mariano 0.
Alaska 101 - Manuel 28, Harris 23, Banchero 21, Baclao 10, Racal 7, Enciso 5, Casio 3, Exciminiano 2, Magat 2, Teng 0.
Quarters: 20-14, 36-34, 73-65, 109-101.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
Brownlee and Aguilar combined to score 69 of Ginebra's entire 109 points, good for 63.3% of the team's total output.
Coming into the ballgame, Alaska's strength was their three-point shooting, as they averaged 11 triples on a 38% clip. But Ginebra's defense locked down on the Aces' perimeter shooters, limiting them to 6/34 for 17%.
Players on the long injury list of Ginebra were Sol Mercado, Joe Devance, Jervy Cruz, Arthur Dela Cruz and Julian Sargent. However Ginebra coach Tim Cone bared that help could be on the way. According to Cone, Devance is on track to return for Ginebra's first match after the break, which is versus Blackwater Elite on September 21.
NEXT GAMES
Barangay Ginebra: September 5 vs Northport (Smart-Araneta Coliseum)
Alaska Aces: September 28 vs Blackwater (Ynares Center- Antipolo)