Ginebra bucks slow start, overpowers GlobalPort for first win

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Justin Brownlee found his shooting stroke in his second game back and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel went on to overpower the GlobalPort Batangy Pier, 113-96, on Wednesday, April 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Brownlee struggled with cramps in the Gin Kings’ 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup debut – a loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters – but finally got on track to amass 29 points with 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and two blocks.

Much like the first game, Ginebra came out the gates a step slow and fell behind 10-2 against GloablPort.

Veteran LA Tenorio, however, pulled his team back in it in the second quarter, and by the third, the Gin Kings unloaded a 34-17 assault – with 12 of those coming from Brownlee – to establish permanent separation from the Batang Pier.

“It’s like we got a championship hangover without winning. And that’s bad,” head coach Tim Cone rued his team’s lackluster overall performance in the past couple of games.

The memory of a long climb up to the finals from 7th seed in last conference’s playoffs still fresh in his memory, Cone emphasized the importance of stringing together some early wins in order to vie for one of the top 5, if not the top two, slots.

“We got a win but I’m not satisfied with our play. I’m struggling for good things to say about our team right now,” he added.

Tenorio contributed 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win as Scottie Thompson again flirted with the triple-double with his 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Rookie Kevin Ferrer posted 13 points while Japeth Aguilar added a double-double of 13 markers and 11 boards for the now 1-1 Gin Kings. 

Guard Sol Mercado, who sat out the first game due to tight muscles, came through with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists off the bench. Joe Devance had 10 markers and 9 rebounds as well.

Stanley Pringle carried GlobalPort offensively with 29 points on 5-of-8 3-pointers. He also had 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Dylan Ababou added 17 markers while Terrence Romeo chipped in 14 points and 7 assists. The Batang Pier also had help from JR Quiñahan’s 11 points.

However, the team lacked crucial contribution from import Sean Williams, who finished with 13 points after getting only 9 attempts from the field. He also tracked down 12 boards as GlobalPort miserable start extended to 0-3.

Scores: 

Ginebra (113): Brownlee 29, Tenorio 15, Aguilar 13, Mercado 13, Ferrer 13, Thompson 10, Devance 10, Marcelo 6, Caguioa 4, Jamito 0, Cruz 0, Ellis 0. 

GlobalPort (96): Pringle 29, Ababou 17, Romeo 14, Williams 13, Quinahan 11, Cortez 4, Pessumal 3, Aban 3, Mamaril 2, Maierhofer 0, Pannisi 0, Forrester 0.

Quarter scores: 23-24, 51-58, 85-75, 113-96.

 – Rappler.com