Ginebra draws 1st blood for 2023 in PBA as huge comeback steals Comm's Cup Finals Game 3 from Bay Area

Justin Brownlee caught fire in the fourth quarter to spark the Gin Kings' comeback. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—Ginebra brought cheers to most of the 15,004 fans who made a late New Year's Day gimmick at the SM Mall of Asia Arena here after pulling off a huge comeback to steal Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals with an 89-82 win against Bay Area on Wednesday night.

In the first game of Asia's premier professional basketball league for 2023, the Gin Kings ended the game on a 17-3 run to snatch the victory from the Dragons, who seemed to be in control of the game most of the time as they too seemed to have bogged Justin Brownlee down.

Brownlee exploded for 19 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 34 points along with 17 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block for Ginebra, which now holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Christian Standhardinger added 15 points, four rebounds, and one assist off the bench, while Scottie Thompson chipped in 14 points including the go-ahead tip-in with 1:27 left, 10 rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Andrew Nicholson led Bay Area with 23 points, 24 rebounds, and two blocks, but he failed to finish the game after suffering an ankle injury late in the contest.

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