Ginebra puts brutal end to playoff road of import-less NLEX
Published Mar 19, 2023 02:23 pm
Barangay Ginebra put an end to NLEX’s playoff road with a brutal 127-93 beating to advance to the quarterfinals and set up a clash against San Miguel in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 19.
The defending champions were simply too much for a Road Warriors side missing its import in Wayne Selden Jr. as Justin Brownlee, Christian Standhardinger and Jamie Malonzo all joined hands to pick up the masterful victory. Ginebra actually shrugged off a slow start to the contest as Brownlee went on to work in the second frame where the Kings stepped their foot on the gas pedal exploding for 38 points for a 56-36 count at the break. The Kings never looked back from there as the lead went to as high as 38 points, 106-68, in the final frame. Brownlee finished with 31 points – 19 of which came in the first half that went with 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals while Malonzo and Standhardinger added 20 points apiece. The Road Warriors, who had a promising start to the conference with import Jonathon Simmons giving them a 4-0 record but had to change reinforcement for the rest of the way, took a major blow to their campaign when Selden went down with a mid-foot sprain in their last game against SMB. Selden reportedly tried to play through the injury but was ultimately ruled out earlier in the day, leaving much of the load at the hands of the locals in the likes of Kevin Alas, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Don Trollano. The Kings, however, showed no mercy as they pounced on the Road Warriors who, despite the balanced scoring, couldn’t overcome Ginebra and force a rubbermatch. Sean Anthony paced NLEX with 16 points while Alas added 15 in a losing effort.
*All business for Justin Brownlee as he helps Ginebra eliminate import-less NLEX. (PBA Images)
*The defending champions were simply too much for a Road Warriors side missing its import in Wayne Selden Jr. as Justin Brownlee, Christian Standhardinger and Jamie Malonzo all joined hands to pick up the masterful victory. Ginebra actually shrugged off a slow start to the contest as Brownlee went on to work in the second frame where the Kings stepped their foot on the gas pedal exploding for 38 points for a 56-36 count at the break. The Kings never looked back from there as the lead went to as high as 38 points, 106-68, in the final frame. Brownlee finished with 31 points – 19 of which came in the first half that went with 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals while Malonzo and Standhardinger added 20 points apiece. The Road Warriors, who had a promising start to the conference with import Jonathon Simmons giving them a 4-0 record but had to change reinforcement for the rest of the way, took a major blow to their campaign when Selden went down with a mid-foot sprain in their last game against SMB. Selden reportedly tried to play through the injury but was ultimately ruled out earlier in the day, leaving much of the load at the hands of the locals in the likes of Kevin Alas, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Don Trollano. The Kings, however, showed no mercy as they pounced on the Road Warriors who, despite the balanced scoring, couldn’t overcome Ginebra and force a rubbermatch. Sean Anthony paced NLEX with 16 points while Alas added 15 in a losing effort.