PBA: Ginebra outplays Meralco to secure first win in Commissioner's Cup

Barangay Ginebra started the third quarter with a bang on its way to a 110-95 win against Meralco last May 26 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings began the third with a 12-0 blast to make it close game after trailing at the half, 54-43. Ginebra later pulled away for good after a 39-17 third quarter.

Justin Brownlee had 27 points and 11 rebounds for Ginebra as the country’s most popular ballclub finally captured a win after bowing to Blackwater in its first game.

“We played with so much fight in the second half. Couldn’t be prouder of this group in terms of getting that game turn around,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who bared he passed the coaching chores in the second half to his top assistant Richard Del Rosario

Japeth Aguilar had 19 points, Art Dela Cruz added 16 points, while Sol Mercado had 14 points and 8 assists for the Gin Kings.

Meralco slipped to 1-2 record with Gani Lawal contributing 38 points and 20 rebounds for the Bolts.

The scores:

BARANGAY GINEBRA 110 – Brownlee 27, J. Aguilar 19, Dela Cruz 16, Mercado 14, Thompson 11, Slaughter 8, Mariano 8, Tenorio 4, Ferrer 3, Cruz 0, Caperal 0.

MERALCO 95 – Lawal 38, Amer 10, Newsome 8, Hodge 7, Salva 6, Pinto 6, Canaleta 6, De Ocampo 5, Hugnatan 4, Jackson 3, Tolomia 2, Caram 0, Quinto 0.

Quarterscores: 16-28, 43-54, 82-71, 110-95.

PHOTO: PBA Images