Ginebra steamrolls past SMB in semis opener

Aldrin Alejo

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY—Ginebra took Game 1 of its PBA Governors' Cup semifinals with San Miguel with a 115-108 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday night.

The Barangay roared back from 13 points down and pulled away do good in the fourth quarter to go 1-0 up against the Beermen in their best-of-5 affair.

SMB began the game red-hot, opening a 39-26 lead against Ginebra early in the second quarter.

But Ginebra bounced back in the second half, slowly melting SMB's lead and eventually breaking away for good in the final period.

Justin Brownlee led the Barangay with 39 points, 16 rebounds, two steals, and one block, while Japeth Aguilar added 22 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and three blocks.

Sol Mercado contributed 19 points, three rebounds, and five assists off the bench, while Scottie Thompson came close to a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.

Elijah Millsap completed his own triple-double for the Beermen with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists with three steals.

Game 2 is set on Wednesday night at the said venue.

Box Scores:

Ginebra 115-Brownlee 39, Aguilar 22, Mercado 19, Devance 12, Thompson 11, Caguioa 8, Mariano 4, Marcelo 0, Tenorio 0, Cruz 0

San Miguel 108-Millsap 29, Fajardo 25, Cabagnot 20, Santos 15, Lassiter 14, Tubid 3, Espinas 2, Ross 0

Quarterscores: 24-36, 46-57, 79-76, 115-108

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