BY JONAS TERRADO
BARANGAY Ginebra once again ended San Miguel Beer’s Grand Slam dreams after carving out a 100-97 win in a pulsating quarterfinal duel Sunday to reach the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee and Stanley Pringle made crucial plays in the final minutes even as Ginebra benefited from San Miguel’s miscues down the stretch to escape with a victory that put them in a semis showdown with either NLEX or NorthPort.
Brownlee sizzled for 41 points while Pringle tallied 24 for Ginebra, which battled SMB to a seesaw affair before getting the necessary breaks in the end.
Brownlee’s three put Ginebra ahead for good at 96-95 before Pringle stole the ball from Chris Ross to score an uncontested layup to make it a three-point game entering the final two minutes.
Import John Holland almost got an opportunity to tie the score with 57.3 seconds left when he got fouled by Joe Devance on the break. Japeth Aguilar blocked the attempt after the ball hit the board, prompting coach Leo Austria to demand for a goaltending call.
But referees determined that there was no indication of a goaltending, much to the Beermen’s dismay. Holland settled for two foul shots to cut the deficit to a single point, 98-97.
Holland did had a chance to put SMB in front when he went for a fastbreak against all five defenders. But the Beermen import lost the ball as he was about to attempt a layup.
Pringle drained two charities for another three-point lead before Brownlee blocked Terrence Romeo’s three-point attempt and Ross missed a long-range three as the clock was winding down.
The scores:
GINEBRA 100 – Brownlee 41, Pringle 24, Tenorio 12, Chan 6, Aguilar 6, Slaughter 5, Thompson 4, Dela Cruz 2, Devance 0.
SAN MIGUEL 97 – Fajardo 24, Holland 20, Tautuaa 12, Cabagnot 11, Lassiter 10, Romeo 8, Ross 7, Pessumal 3, Rosser 0.
Quarters: 23-23, 54-58, 78-83, 100-97.
