After a 117-103 victory over TNT on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Ginebra pulled away from TNT and reclaimed control of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
The Gin Kings overcame a Tropang Giga comeback earlier in the quarter, with Jamie Malonzo and foreigner Justin Brownlee scoring from long range to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Stanley Pringle had a flawless shooting night to emerge as one of the stars in Ginebra’s triumph, which left coach Tim Cone’s charges two victories shy of earning a third consecutive season-ending conference crown.
“We shot the ball pretty well tonight from diverse angles, lead by Stanley, of course.” He kept us in the game, put us ahead, and kept us in the game in the first half, and then made key baskets in the second half,” Cone said.
Ginebra wants to clinch the championship with another victory on Sunday at the same location
Brownlee scored 29 points, a major improvement from his 3-of-16 shooting and 12 points in Ginebra’s 95-82 defeat in Game 2.
Malonzo made six three-pointers on his way to 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Pringle took advantage of being named starter for the first time this conference and scored 22 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting.
Import TNT lost steam after tying the game at 88-all in the last canto, despite great numbers from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Mikey Williams, and Poy Erram.
For the Tropang Giga, Hollis-Jefferson scored 32 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, Williams had 19, and Erram had 14 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.
| Team | Score | Top Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| GINEBRA | 117 | Brownlee 29, Malonzo 27, Pringle 22, Thompson 16, Standhardinger 16, Gray 5, J.Aguilar 2, Mariano 0, Pinto 0, Onwubere 0 |
| TNT | 103 | Hollis-Jefferson 32, Williams M. 19, Erram 14, Castro 14, Pogoy 13, Khobuntin 6, Oftana 3, Tungcab 2, Marcelo 0, Montalbo 0 |
| Quarters | 29-19, 57-57, 87-81, 117-103 | – |
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