Ginebra shuts door on Converge's Top 4 bid with blowout win to boost own drive

Jamie Malonzo exploded for Ginebra in a game where Jamaal Franklin suddenly imploded. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—Ginebra slammed the door on Converge's last gasp to hopefully secure a Top 4 finish in the PBA Governors' Cup with a 120-101 blowout on Sunday night at the PhilSports Arena.

The Gin Kings slowly but surely sucked the life out of the FiberXers in a game where Jamaal Franklin, the current barometer among imports not named Justin Brownlee, had a bizarre performance.

Jamie Malonzo led Ginebra, which boosted its own bid for the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, with a conference-high 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal.

Brownlee and Christian Standhardinger each added 28-point double-doubles with Standhardinger grabbing 12 rebounds and Brownlee taking 10.

Maverick Ahanmisi carried the fight for Converge, which finished its elimination round stint at 6-5, with 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a night where Franklin, the top scorer so far in the conference, only made four points on five attempts.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno