Ginebra regains PBA Govs' Cup semis lead with Game 3 win vs SMB

Justin Brownlee posted another impressive stat line for Ginebra. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

DASMARINAS--Ginebra bounced back from a tough Game 2 defeat to San Miguel and retook the lead in the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals with a 99-94 Game 3 win on Sunday night at the City of Dasmarinas Arena.

In another tight showdown, offensive rebounding set the tone late for the Gin Kings to seal the Beermen off.

Just up five, 95-90, Ginebra thought it kept the door open for San Miguel to inch closer after the former missed some shots within the final minute.

However, Scottie Thompson grabbed crucial offensive boards even as Japeth Aguilar and Justin Brownlee also got one each as well, leading to a Brownlee layup with 20.9 seconds left that upped the Gin Kings' lead to seven, 97-90.

Marcio Lassiter scored a hurried four-pointer to keep the Beermen in the game, but Maverick Ahanmisi responded with two free throws to ice the game.

Brownlee led Ginebra with 30 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five blocks, while Aguilar added 222 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one block.

Ahanmisi contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists.

EJ Anosike had 32 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, while Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo each had 12 markers with Fajardo also tallying 14 boards.

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