Ginebra nears PBA Comm's Cup semis sweep vs NorthPort with Game 3 rout

Japeth Aguilar soars for the slam. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Ginebra moved to within one win from clinching a spot in the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals after drubbing NorthPort, 127-100, in Game 3 of the semifinals on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Gin Kings quickly pulled away from the Batang Pier, highlighted by a 34-19 second quarter to open a 64-40 halftime lead, and stretched their advantage to as high as 38 points.

Jamie Malonzo played his best game in any competition since coming back into action with 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting including 4-of-5 on threes, eight rebounds, and one assist to lead Ginebra, now 3-0 up in the best-of-seven series.

Justin Brownlee added 22 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while RJ Abarrientos had 10 points, two rebounds, and 10 assists.

The team can complete the sweep on Wednesday night back at "The Big Dome".

Kadeem Jack put up 32 points on 14-of-22 shooting, three rebounds, four assists, one block, and two steals to lead NorthPort, which is now on the verge of getting swept despite being the top seed.

Box Scores:

GINEBRA 127 – Malonzo 25, Brownlee 22, J. Aguilar 17, Thompson 15, Abarrientos 10, Rosario 10, Ahanmisi 6, Holt 5, Pessumal 4, Gray 4, R. Aguilar 3, Adamos 2, Mariano 2, Tenorio 2, Cu 0, Pinto 0

NORTHPORT 100 – Jack 32, Tolentino 15, Taha 11, Yu 6, Miranda 6, Bulanadi 6, Munzon 5, Cuntapay 5, Flores 4, Nelle 3, Navarro 3, Tratter 2, Onwubere 2

QUARTERS: 30-21, 64-40, 99-68, 127-100

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