Gin Kings stop Hotshots’ unbeaten run

Justin Brownlee delivered the game-winning plays as Brgy. Ginebra rebounded from a deflating loss to Phoenix and dealt Magnolia its first loss in the elimination round of the PBA Season 47 Commissioner’s, 103-97, Sunday night inside a jampacked SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Gin Kings’ resident import drained the go-ahead jumper then followed it up a crucial block on Magnolia import Nick Rakocevic plus 4 insurance freebies as the Gin Kings completed a fightback from 15 points down to register their 3rd win in 5 outings. The Hotshots, meanwhile, absorbed their first defeat in 6 starts.

Brownlee finished with 26 points on 9-of-19 shooting to go along with 8 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 blocks in 44 minutes of action.

“It’s good to win. When I left San Mig Coffee, and I went to Ginebra, I think we beat them nine or 10 times. And we really felt like we had their number. And they just completely turned the tables on us,” said Brgy. Ginebra head coach Tim Cone during the post-game presser.

“It was a typical Never Say Die Ginebra game in the 1990s in my opinion. I remember those. I remember being on the other side of those teams, when I was losing to those teams. So it’s great to be on this side,” he added.

Jamie Malonzo came through with a double-double of 18 points and 14 boards while Scottie Thompson and Christian Standhardinger chipped in 14 markers apiece. Japeth Aguilar added 13 points.

Paul Lee paced the Hotshots with 22 points highlighted by 6-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Rakocevic contributed 21 points and team-highs of 17 boards, 6 assists and 5 steals. Ian Sangalang scored 13 while Jerrick Ahanmisi and Jio Jalalon dopped 11 markers apiece.

The Hotshots will try to move back into the win column when they clash with the Yeng Guiao-mentored Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Saturday, October 29, 6:45pm at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The scores:

Brgy. Ginebra 103 – Brownlee 26, Malonzo 18, Thompson 14, Standhardinger 14, J. Aguilar 13, Pringle 6, Tenorio 5, Mariano 3, Gray 3, Pessumal 1, Pinto 0.

Magnolia 97 – Lee 22, Rakocevic 21, Sangalang 13, Ahanmisi 11, Jalalon 11, Abueva 6, Barroca 5, Dionisio 3, Dela Rosa 2, Reavis 2, Wong 1.

Quarterscores: 20-24, 41-53, 73-83, 103-97.