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Ginebra blasts Meralco for 3-1 Finals lead

Justin Brownlee came up with a brilliant all-around game for the Barangay. Kennelf Monteza
By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Ginebra moved to the brink of its third PBA Governors' Cup title in four seasons after romping Meralco, 94-74, in Game 4 of the championship series in front of 11,496 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.

The Barangay recovered from a slow start and outscored the Bolts, 28-17, in the second quarter to pull away for good, even stretching their lead to as high as 27 in the fourth quarter.

Justin Brownlee came close to a rare 5x5 with 27 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and four blocks for Ginebra, which is now up, 3-1, in the best-of-seven series.

Stanley Pringle added 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Scottie Thompson played his best game so far in the finals with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.

Allen Durham, who was named the Best Import of the Conference earlier Wednesday, was held to 9-for-23 shooting and only got 21 points and committed six turnovers, although he too had 27 rebounds and seven assists for Meralco.

Raymond Almazan played through his left meniscus injury and finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, and one block.

The Barangay can finish the series off on Friday night in Game 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno