By Angelo Acosta
MANILA--Fifty-three thousand six hundred forty-two people in attendance at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue saw the Meralco Bolts prevail against the heavily-favored Barangay Ginebra in Game Six of their PBA Governors' Cup Finals series, 98-91.
In a game of runs, the Bolts sustained their lead despite several rallies by Ginebra.
The Bolts were up by double-digits after the first half before Ginebra fought back. Joe Devance drilled a buzzer-beating three to cap the rally and end the third quarter with the lead down to six, 75-69.
The Bolts refused to be chased and pulled another run to extend the lead to 11 again.
Reliable vet Reynel Hugnatan and other teammates made clutch answers every time Ginebra scored to hold the lead.
Mark Caguioa made a jumpshot in the 3:45 mark of the 4th to cut the Bolts' lead to just four, but the Bolts' resilience down the stretch paid dividends.
Allen Durham marked 28 points and tallied 19 rebounds, while Hugnatan had a great game with 24 points, drilling six trifectas in an efficient outing.
Meanwhile, Brownlee poured 21 points and Slaughter drained 18 as the Gin Kings failed to clinch the series and repeat as champions.
Game 7 will be on Friday at the same venue.
Box Scores:
Meralco 98-Durham 28, Hugnatan 24, Lanete 15, Newsome 10, Dillinger 9, Hodge 6, Amer 6, Caram 0
Ginebra 91-Brownlee 23, Slaughter 18, Tenorio 12, Thompson 12, Devance 11, Aguilar 6, Caguioa 6, Ferrer 3, Taha 0
Quarterscores: 29-17, 54-37, 75-69, 98-91
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