Ginebra blasts off late in Q3 to rip NorthPort at start of Qf tie

Justin Brownlee exploded for 39 points at the start of the Ginebra-NorthPort series. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—Ginebra took command in the final four and a half minutes of the third quarter and never wavered in the final canto to deal NorthPort a 118-102 beating to begin their PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinal series on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena.

The Gin Kings finished the third on a 19-4 run to break a 70-all tie and never looked back from there.

Justin Brownlee fired 39 points on 16-of-24 shooting with eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and four blocks for Ginebra, which took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three affair.

Stanley Pringle added 16 points, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Arvin Tolentino had 29 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block, Robert Bolick added 21 points, one rebound, six assists, and one steal, and Prince Ibeh chipped in 18 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and five steals for NorthPort.

Game 2 is set on Saturday night also at the PhilSports Arena.

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