September 27 ------ Barangay Ginebra repelled Meralco’s comeback in the fourth quarter to get a 99-92 win in Game 1 of their best-of-five quarterfinal series in the PBA Governors’ Cup Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Justin Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar, rookie RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson came through for the Gin Kings in drawing first blood in the latest chapter of what seemed to be a never-ending playoff battle with the Bolts.
Brownlee had 29 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals to lead Ginebra, which led by 15 but saw Meralco come to take the driver seat in the final period. Thompson posted 19 points, five rebounds and five assists, Aguilar made 10 points and seven rebounds while Abarrientos drained a crucial three that put Ginebra up 95-85 with less than three minutes to go. The game also saw the return of Joe Devance from his two-year retirement, scoring two points in six minutes.
Game 2 is set Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Ginebra aiming for a commanding 2-0 lead.
Editor's note:
In the other game, San Miguel Beer weathered a late uprising by Converge to come away with a 102-95 win in Game 1 of their best-of-five quarterfinal series. The Beermen held a 16-point lead with less four minutes left when the FiberXers came as close as four. However they couldn’t capitalize on their chances and the Beermen eventually held on for the win. New import EJ Anosike produced 28 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in his first game after replacing Jordan Adams, who suffered a hamstring injury late in the group stage. June Mar Fajardo had 25 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks to also help the Beermen’s cause.
Source: sports.inquirer.net
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