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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PBA Finals: Ginebra back as kings of the Governors' Cup

PBA Finals: Ginebra back as kings of the Governors' Cup

Published Jan 17, 2020 12:00 am
By Jonas Terrado Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is back as kings of the PBA Governors’ Cup after lording over Meralco for the third time 105-93 before a jubilant crowd of 17,378 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Ginebra celebrates after their win against Meralco in the PBA finals game 5 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio) San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua and members of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel lift the PBA Governors' Cup trophy after beating Meralco 105-93 at the Mall of Asia Arena, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio) Japeth Aguilar capped off his stellar performance with 25 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as Ginebra overcame 14-point deficit by wearing down the Bolts late in the second quarter and throughout the second half to claim the series 4-1. Aguilar was unanimously named as the PBA Press Corps-Honda Finals Most Valuable Player with averages of 17.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks, giving Ginebra its fourth title under coach Tim Cone and 12th overall. It was also Cone's 22nd championship, enhancing his status as the winningest coach in PBA history. He also tied Robert Jaworski for most titles by a Ginebra coach. Ginebra's SJapeth Aguilar celebrates after his slam against Meralco's Bong Quinto in the PBA finals game 5 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio) Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar celebrates after scoring a dunk against Meralco's Bong Quinto in Game 5 of the the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio) Justin Brownlee had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Stanley Pringle added 17 points, four rebounds and eight assists and Scottie Thompson 14 points, six rebounds and nine assists to backstop Aguilar's big showing. The win was Ginebra’s latest mastery over a Meralco that entered the series hoping to finally end its mastery. But an injured left knee sustained by Bolts center Raymond Almazan totally changed the complexion of the series, allowing the Kings to produce the most lopsided result of the trilogy. Best Import Allen Durham tried to extend the series to a sixth game despite missing Almazan, posting 29 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists. But Durham was left frustrated by Ginebra’s tight defending, thus resulting in another heartbreak finish. Ginebra's Stanley Pringle drives past Meralco's Anjo Caram in the PBA finals game 5 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio) Ginebra's Stanley Pringle drives past Meralco's Anjo Caram during Game 5 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio) Durham was bridesmaid anew as his bid to finally lead Meralco to a historic championship ended in another disappointment. Meralco did led 39-25 in the second quarter but was force to work for its shots while allowing Ginebra to trim the margin to 46-40 at the half. “That four-minute stretch at the end of the first half was for us the telling blow,” said Cone. “We went into the locker room feeling ourselves being down six points. “We felt that we played poorly that we could have easily been down 14, 16 points at halftime, but we were only down by six and we knew we have a chance. And we also knew that if we got ahead, if we can tie and go ahead, the pressure would be thrown back at them. We were able to do that,” added Cone. Then, Ginebra unleashed another third quarter assault just like it did in the past four games to eventually take the lead. Meralco did come and tie the score at 77-all on a layup by Baser Amer with 8:46 remaining in the fourth. But Brownlee scored five straight points before Pringle and Aguilar joined the fray to pull away from the fading Bolts. Ginebra lost two of its first three games in the eliminations but won six of the last eight to claim the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. After ending the Grand Slam dreams of the San Miguel Beermen, the Kings bucked a Game 1 to beat the Cinderella team NorthPort Batang Pier with three straight wins to the semis before arranging a third title showdown with the Bolts. Aguilar's block on Durham sealed Ginebra's 91-87 win in Game 1, before Meralco bounced back to draw level 104-102 on the road in Lucena City. But the Kings were able to take control of the series as their signature third quarter blitzes resulted with a 92-84 and 94-72 victories in Games 3 and 4. The scores: GINEBRA 105 — Aguilar 25, Brownlee 24, Pringle 17, Thompson 14, Tenorio 12, Mariano 6, Devance 3, Dela Cruz 2, Slaughter 2, Dillinger 0. MERALCO 93 — Durham 29, Amer 17, Newsome 13, Hodge 10, Quinto 9, Maliksi 9, Faundo 2, Pinto 2, Caram 2, Salva 0. Quarters: 19-26; 40-46; 70-64; 105-93. Gallery:
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