October 21 ------ BARANGAY Ginebra advanced to the finals of the PBA Governors’ Cup for the sixth time over the last seven editions after defeating San Miguel, 102-99, in a thrilling Game Six at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Justin Brownlee buried a three-pointer over June Mar Fajardo with 1:47 left, keeping Ginebra's head above water in the face of a last-gasp SMB comeback long enough to win Game Six and the best-of-seven series, 4-2.
San Miguel still had a chance to tie or even win it after gaining the final possession, but EJ Anosike and Jericho Cruz missed their tries from four-point territory in the endgame. Maverick Ahanmisi had 25 points on 9-of-15 from the field to make a huge impact on offense for the Gin Kings in the closed-out game as they arranged a best-of-seven finals rematch with the TNT Tropang Giga. “It took every little ounce of whatever we had left to win that game tonight,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “It just took a long toll on all of us and them too. I’ve got to give credit to coach Jorge [Gallent] to be able to keep that team together.”
Game One will be on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Brownlee's huge three came after San Miguel came to within a point, 99-98, draining that shot off a Ginebra timeout. The Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks. It was a total team effort with Japeth Aguilar and RJ Abarrientos chipping in 20 and 16 points, respectively, with the two connecting on an alley-oop dunk by Aguilar that pumped up the Ginebra crowd.
Scottie Thompson had 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Gin Kings, whio also got solid contributions from Ralph Cu and Stephen Holt in other departments. The Gin Kings also had to deal with the inside presence of EJ Anosike and June Mar Fajardo with Joe Devance out due to an injury. There were even stretches were Brownlee had to guard Fajardo in a small ball scenario.
Ginebra faces off against TNT in the finals for the first time after losing to the same Tropang Giga in the 2023 Governors’ Cup. It will once again feature a clash between Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, with Cone going up against Chot Reyes this time for the championship instead of Jojo Lastimosa, who was the TNT coach when Reyes was with Gilas Pilipinas. Anosike had 30 points and nine rebounds, while Fajardo added 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Beermen, who failed to keep the trend by winning the even-numbered games of the series that would have forced a Game Seven.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 102 – Ahanmisi 25, Brownlee 21, J. Aguilar 20, Abarrientos 16, Thompson 10, Cu 7, Holt 3, Mariano 0, Adamos 0.
San Miguel 99 – Anosike 30, Fajardo 22, Lassiter 16, Perez 13, Cruz 8, Trollano 8, Manuel 2, Romeo 0, Ross 0.
Quarters: 23-27; 46-49; 76-75; 102-99.
Source: spin.ph
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