MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra gifted head coach Tim Cone his 1,000th career win in the PBA after thwarting struggling Blackwater, 98-84, in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, November 18.

Justin Brownlee showed the way with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists as the Gin Kings earned their fourth straight win and improved to 6-2 to inch closer to a coveted quarterfinal berth.

Aside from Cone, Brownlee also achieved a personal milestone by becoming the first import in PBA history to record at least 300 steals.

The two-time Best Import accomplished the feat with nine minutes left in the third period, the quarter where Ginebra pulled away after a tight first half that saw it lead by just two possessions, 52-47.

Brownlee and returning guard Scottie Thompson combined for 14 points in the third frame as the Gin Kings outscored the Bossing, 23-11, to build a 75-58 cushion going into the final frame.

Ginebra then stretched its lead to as big as 22 points, 93-71, with Jeremiah Gray and Jamie Malonzo showing the way in the fourth quarter.

Replicating the all-around game that powered Gilas Pilipinas to a fifth window sweep in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Thompson impressed with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Gray netted a career-high 15 points.

Malonzo finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds in the win, which saw Christian Standhardinger contribute 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Rookie Ato Ular saw his 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks go down the drain as Blackwater absorbed its fifth straight loss, tying NLEX for the longest active losing streak in the league.

The Bossing remained at 12th place with a 3-8 record after a relatively quiet offensive outing from import Cameron Krutwig, who put up 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting to go with 15 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

Still filling in for injured guard Baser Amer, Trevis Jackson had 14 points in the loss.

The Scores

Barangay Ginebra 98 – Brownlee 17, Thompson 16, Gray 15, Malonzo 13, Standhardinger 10, Mariano 8, Pringle 7, J.Aguilar 5, Pessumal 3, Tenorio 2, Dillinger 2, Pinto 0, R.Aguilar 0, David 0.

Blackwater 84 – Ular 20, Jackson 14, Krutwig 11, Ayonayon 10, Banal 6, Suerte 6, Sena 6, Go 4, Dyke 4, Taha 3, Ebona 0, Melton 0.

Quarters: 27-22, 52-47, 75-58, 98-84.

– Rappler.com