By REYNALD MAGALLON
Justin Brownlee simply did everything in his power to ensure that Barangay Ginebra will come out with the win.
The Kings’ resident import bounced back from a so-so performance in his first game and erupted for a career-high 51 points to power Ginebra to a nerve-wracking 108-102 win over San Miguel in Group B of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Brownlee poured 35 of his total in the second half including the layup that sealed the game with 28 seconds left and allowed Ginebra to pick up its first win in the conference after opening it on a wrong foot against Rain or Shine in Candon City.
The 36-year-old import added 13 rebounds, six steals and five assists to his game while Japeth Aguilar, who was one of the few bright spots for Ginebra in the first game, sustained his fine play with 21 points.
RJ Abarrientos, after only scoring two points on a horrendous 1-of-15 shooting from the field in his PBA debut, finally shook off the rookie jitters with 13 points, built on three triples.
But it was the combination of Aguilar and Brownlee that carried the fight for the Kings who trailed, 83-85, in the final frame before they combined for the last 23 points for the team.
Jordan Adams after exploding for 50 points finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists while June Mar Fajardo added 17 points and 17 rebounds. CJ Perez and Terrence Romeo had 14 and 13 respectively while Jeron Teng provided spark off the bench with 12.
Their efforts however were not enough as SMB absorbed its first loss of the conference after winning their first two gmes.
