Scottie Thompson towered over Allen Durham to get a crucial rebound in the waning minutes before pulling up for a tough fadeaway jumper. Few possessions later, it was Japeth Aguilar who crashed the glass for a rebound and a putback.
Barangay Ginebra may have been holding onto the series lead but those moments exactly proved that the Kings wanted it more as they swept the Meralco Bolts, 113-106, in Game 3 of their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Monday, Sept. 30.
Justin Brownlee led the way in scoring for Ginebra with 23 points but it was the extra effort from his supporting cast that spelled the difference in the series-clinching victory.
Stephen Holt, after just three points in the first half, came alive in the second half and spearheaded the Kings’ back-breaking assault that saw them explode for 39 points in the final frame.
He dropped 10 of his 19 points in that payoff period while four other players finished in double figures. Aguilar also chalked up 19 points and eight rebounds while RJ Abarrientos scattered 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Maverick Ahanmisi added 17 while Thompson chipped in 16 for the Kings who trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half.
Durham tried to carry the fight for Meralco with another double-double of 38 points and 19 rebounds but was the lone bright spot for his team when the Kings were rallying in the final frame.
Bong Quinto finished with 19 points while Chris Newsome had 14 although it was not enough as the Bolts exited the conference on the quarterfinals despite finishing the eliminations as the second seed in Group A.
The Scores :
GINEBRA 113 – Brownlee 23, Holt 19, J.Aguilar 19, Abarrientos 17, Ahanmisi 17, Thompson 16, Devance 2, Cu 0, R.Aguilar 0, Pessumal 0
MERALCO 106 – Durham 38, Quinto 19, Newsome 14, Banchero 10, Hodge 10, Caram 7, Bates 4, Rios 2, Mendoza 2, Pascual 0
QUARTERS : 28-27, 47-56, 83-72, 113-106
