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| Justin Brownlee dropped 33 points, including the last four in the end, for Ginebra. Peter Baltazar |
QUEZON CITY--Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos took over for Ginebra as it used a third-quarter storm to seize control of the game before holding off Converge, 99-93, in their PBA Commissioner's Cup showdown on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Brownlee led the way for the Gin Kings with 33 points alongside 10 rebounds and four assists, while Abarrientos added 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Both players contributed when it mattered most, as Abarrientos made two free throws that broke a 93-all tie, and Brownlee scored a crucial floater against the outstretched arms of Kylor Kelley and two charities of his own to seal the deal.
Before that, they erupted for 39 points in the third quarter, almost equaling their 42-point first-half output to go up, 81-74, entering the fourth.
However, the FiberXers, who were in control in the first half, kept the game close and even retook the lead 93-92, with four minutes left.
Troy Rosario, who scored a free throw that sparked the game-ending 7-0 run, capped by Abarrientos and Brownlee's late heroics, put up 10 points and 13 rebounds for Ginebra, which moved up to 2-1 heading to the Holy Week break.
Balti Baltazar tallied 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal for Converge, which will have a lot of things to ponder over the holidays as it dropped to 1-4.
Kelley went 6-for-6 from the field for 13 points with 15 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
