Jamie Malonzo conspired with Justin Brownlee and haunted his former team as Barangay Ginebra snapped NorthPort’s three-game win streak with a 122-105 victory in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Sunday, Nov. 27.
Malonzo spearheaded the huge fourth quarter breakaway for the Kings, who after trailing for the most part of the first three quarters, seized control of the contest with a 13-2 blast that established a double-digit advantage in the payoff period
The 6-foot-7 high flying forward dropped 10 of his 26 points in the final frame, joining hands with Brownlee who flirted with another triple-double of 31 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists as Ginebra kept its chances for the twice-to-beat advantage after bouncing back from a tough overtime loss to NLEX and improving to an 8-3 record.
The Batang Pier actually controlled the tempo early on behind the inspired performance from a former King and part of the Malonzo trade in Arvin Tolentino along with the steady showing from Robert Bolick and Prince Ibeh.
Ginebra, however, managed to tighten up its defensive screws in the payoff period, limiting the Batang Pier offense to just 13 points after exploding for 32 in the opening frame and 29 each in the middle quarters.
Tolentino led the way for NorthPort with 24 points on a 6-of-9 clip from deep while Ibeh added a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds. Bolick also had his share of the limelight with 22 points.
The efforts however were not enough as the Batang Pier wrapped up the eliminations with a 6-6 slate.