Ginebra clinches Top 4 spot with rout of Columbian

Justin Brownlee carried the fight anew for Ginebra as the team assured itself of a Top 4 finish in the eliminations. PBA Media Group
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ginebra secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals after romping Columbian, 113-90, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday night.

In a game with a lot of playoff implications, the Barangay manhandled the Dyip in the final quarter, outscoring them 31-12, to pull away.

That was right after Columbian crawled back in the third canto and even took the lead, 78-77, late in the period.

Justin Brownlee came close to yet another triple-double for Ginebra, tallying 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists alongside three steals and four blocks.

Stanley Pringle and Jeff Chan each had 20 points anchored on a combined 8-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc as their team, which moved up to 7-3, can either finish third or fourth entering the quarterfinals.

Japeth Aguilar completed a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds along with one assist and four blocks.

Ginebra's final seeding will be based on the results of the remaining five games of the eliminations, all with bearings in the Top 4 race.

Khapri Alston fired 34 markers, 22 boards, one dime, and two steals for Columbian, which finished the eliminations at 4-7.

The team's fate of making the quarterfinals is not anymore in its hands as it will await the results of the Sunday doubleheader and the Wednesday night game between NLEX and Alaska.

The Dyip, the Aces, the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, and the NorthPort Batang Pier are chasing the last two quarterfinal spots.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno