Barangay Ginebra finds plenty of heroes late as it sweeps Meralco

Ginebra’s locals came up big time this timeby Reuben Terrado

BARANGAY Ginebra drained a barrage of outside shots in the fourth quarter to oust Meralco via sweep, 113-106, and advance to the semifinals of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup on Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Justin Brownlee, RJ Abarrientos, Stephen Holt, and Maverick Ahanmisi were among the players who delivered the key shots from the two rainbow countries in the fourth to come back from a 12-point third-quarter deficit and on their way to a 3-0 sweep of the quarterfinals.

Barangay Ginebra will face either San Miguel or Converge in the semifinals.

“First of all, I’m totally shocked that we were able to beat them in three straight games,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “And each game came with a play here or play there would have change the whole complexion of the game.”

“Ball kept rolling on our favor. Usually, the team that continues to battle and work and work really hard, the ball kinda rolls in our favor.”

Brownlee had 23 points, including two fours, all of which coming in the fourth quarter to keep Ginebra within striking distance, while Holt and Japeth Aguilar added 19 points each for the Gin Kings.

Abarrientos had 17 points including a circus shot that led to a three-point play to break a 94-94 tie and give Ginebra the lead for good.

Holt hit a three that provided Barangay Ginebra its biggest lead of the contest at 105-98 with 2:36 left, effectively sending them to the victory.

Ahanmisi had 17 points and shot 3-of-6 from threes after going perfect on his three shots from the outside.

Allen Durham had another big outing with 38 points and 13 rebounds, while Bong Quinto had 19 points but it wasn’t enough for the Bolts to avert a sweep.

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 113 – Brownlee 23, Holt 19, J. Aguilar 19, Abarrientos 17, Ahanmisi 17, Thompson 16, Devance 2, R. Aguilar 0, Cu 0, Pessumal 0.

Meralco 106 – Durham 38, Quinto 19, Newsome 14, Hodge 10, Banchero 10, Caram 7, Bates 4, Mendoza 2, Rios 2, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 28-27; 47-55; 74-81; 113-106.