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| PBA |
By Dugout Philippines
QUEZON CITY--Ginebra couldn’t have written a better ending to its eight-year crusade to the crown.
Justin Brownlee nailed a triple from top of the key as the buzzer expired and Ginebra escaped with 91-88 victory to bring home the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup championship.
It took eight agonizing years and seasons of torment but the Kings finally regained their lost glory after scraping past Meralco in six thrilling games.
Buoyed by the predominantly pro-Ginebra crowd packing the historic Big Dome to the rafters and the presence of Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, the Gin Kings found their way back from a 13-point hole in vintage Ginebra fashion.
LA Tenorio came alive in the second half and led the Kings’ third-quarter comeback.
Ginebra clinched its franchise’s ninth title but only its first since the 2008 Fiesta Conference.
Tim Cone, who is in his first season as the Gin Kings’ head coach, seized his league record 19th PBA crown.
Ginebra trailed, 2-1, before racking up three straight victories to win the closely-contested series.
Box Scores:
Ginebra 91-Brownlee 31, Tenorio 25, Thompson 10, Aguilar 7, Caguioa 6, Helterbrand 5, Ellis 4, Marcelo 3, Cruz 0, Devance 0, Mercado 0
Meralco 88-Newsome 19, Durham 15, Hugnatan 12, Alapag 8, Faundo 8, Uyloan 7, Amer 6, Hodge 6, Nabong 4, Caram 3
Quarterscores: 18-27, 32-45, 65-66, 91-88
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