Justin Brownlee and Stephen Holt provided a deadly one-two punch and set the tone to the masterful offensive display for Ginebra over San Miguel, 122-105, to take Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Justin Brownlee waxes hot from four as Ginebra takes semis opener vs SMB
Oct 9, 2024 11:56 AM
At a glance
Justin Brownlee and Stephen Holt formed a deadly one-two punch and set the tone to the masterful offensive display for Ginebra over San Miguel, 122-105, to take Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Brownlee immediately weaved his magic in the best-of-seven series, drilling a total of five quadruples -- the most by any player so far this conference -- while Holt was aggressive from the get-go as the Kings ripped the game wide open in the third frame and never looked back from there.
The Ginebra resident import dropped 20 of his 33 points in the third frame to go along with his eight rebounds, five assists and a steal while Holt was equally impressive with 30 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
RJ Abarrientos also had 13 points while Scottie Thompson scattered 10 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as the well-rested Ginebra seemingly took advantage of the tired legs of SMB which was coming off a grueling five-game series against Converge in the quarters.
The Beermen simply looked a step slower in the contest which the Kings made sure to exploit on with Holt creating opportunities through his drives to the paint.
Making the game much easier for Ginebra was when it also got rhythm from deep with Abarrientos and Brownlee taking turns in detonating long bombs.
There was nothing much SMB could do from there even with the solid outing from EJ Anosike who had 27 points and the all-around game from June Mar Fajardo who had 16 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. Marcio Lassiter finished with 18 points while CJ Perez was not in his usual self with only 13 points -- only two in the second half.
The Kings built a lead that went to as high as 24, 102-78, in the final frame and they were never threatened until the final horn.
Game 2 of the series is on Friday, Oct. 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
THE SCORES:
GINEBRA 122 – Brownlee 33, Holt 30, Abarrientos 13, Thompson 10, Ahanmisi 9, J.Aguilar 9, Pinto 9, Devance 8, Adamos 1, Cu 0.
SAN MIGUEL 105 – Anosike 27, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 16, Perez 13, Ross 7, Rosales 6, Romeo 6, Enciso 6, Cruz 4, Tautuaa 2, Nava 0, Brondial 0.
QUARTERS : 27-28, 63-58, 97-78, 122-105.