Justin Brownlee (No. 32) had Allen Durham (with ball) and Meralco down and out after a come-from-behind Game 3 —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Coach Tim Cone still feels the sting of Barangay Ginebra’s untimely playoff exit at the hands of Meralco last summer. It has been soothed somewhat after Monday night.
The Gin Kings converted on their first chance at eliminating the Bolts after catching fire in the fourth period to carve out a 113-106 victory and sweep their best-of-five quarterfinal series in the PBA Governors Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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“They beat us in the last series,” Cone said of the Bolts, who showed his charges the door in the Philippine Cup’s Final Four last May.
“It’s been a long time coming. To come back and be able to have a chance to make up for that and for our fans as well,” he went on. “But you know, credit goes to the guys for just really reaching deep.”
Stephen Holt, the reigning Rookie of the Year whom Ginebra acquired in a preseason trade with doormat Terrafirma, put up 19 points—10 in the fourth which greased the comeback that ultimately rewarded the crowd darlings a ticket to the semifinals.
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“Right before the end of that first half, coach lit a fire under me. I needed to be more aggressive,” Holt said after a three-point effort in the first two periods. “So when I got my opportunities, I wanted to be more aggressive.
“I was able to show that quality in Game 1, so I just wanted to build off of that. I had a lot of confidence and it opened up my shot, driving lanes,” he went on. “[But] it was a total team effort and it’s going to take a total team effort in this next series. I’m just so proud of my guys.”
The likely next foes
Barangay Ginebra next battles the winner of the San Miguel and Converge series, Game 3 of which is being played as of press time. The Beermen were also looking to apply the broom on the FiberXers.
Holt’s heroics actually began in the 4:35 mark of the third period, as he helped the Gin Kings out of a 12-point hole the Bolts had them in behind Allen Durham.
But Alas, the Gin Kings—also drawing big numbers from Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi in the fourth, weren’t going to be denied.
“They really locked in in that second half. It was amazing to watch and to see them really reach deep from within themselves to pull that game out,” Cone said of his crew.
Justin Brownlee had 23 points, Aguilar had 19, while rookie RJ Abarrientos and Ahanmisi both finished with 17. Scottie Thompson chipped in with 16.
Durham finished with 38 points and 13 rebounds, while Bong Quinto had 19 points. Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, and Chris Banchero all scored in double digits.
Meraco has now lost seven playoff series—four in the Finals—against Ginebra.
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“I’m totally shocked we’re able to beat them three straight games,” Cone said. INQ
