By REYNALD MAGALLON
Barangay Ginebra squandered a huge 17-point lead but recovered just in time to frustrate TNT, 89-85, and clinch a spot in the playoffs in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 20.
Justin Brownlee scored nine of his team’s last 13 points to help the Kings save some blushes and pick up their fifth straight victory for a 7-2 record – enough to punch Ginebra’s 42nd straight playoff appearance and coach Tim Cone’s 34th straight.
The Gilas Pilipinas naturalization candidate finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three blocks while Stanley Pringle and Scottie Thompson added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Kings actually got off to a blazing start as they established the 17-point spread late in the opening frame, 29-12.
Mikey Williams, JP Erram and Glenn Khobuntin picked up the scoring cudgels in the ensuing quarters despite the absence of import Cam Oliver and the injury to Jayson Castro who went down with an ankle injury, even taking a 76-72 lead in the final frame.
However with Ginebra only down by two, 78-76, midway through the final frame, Brownlee lit the fire to the good-sized crowd in the venue by drilling a long bomb before scoring on a jumper put the Kings on the driver seat, 81-78.
TNT answered back with a Calvin Oftana left corner triple to tie the game before a Christian Standhardinger jumper off an assist from Brownlee and a pair of split charities from Scottie Thompson gave Ginebra some breathing space, 85-81.
Erram kept the Tropang Giga within striking distance with an under goal stab but the Kings defense showed its fangs in the waning minutes forcing TNT to two crucial turnovers before Brownlee sealed the deal with three more free throws.
Williams paced the Tropang Giga with 20 points while RR Pogoy added 18. Erram also contributed 16 points and eight rebounds but were not enough as TNT slid down to 4-6 record and could be in danger of missing the playoffs especially with collisions against Bay Area and San Miguel looming as its final assignments in the eliminations.
GINEBRA 89 – Brownlee 21, Pringle 12, Thompson 10, J.Aguilar 9, Tenorio 8, Mariano 8, Malonzo 8, Standhardinger 8, Gray 5, Pinto 0.
TNT 85 – M.Williams 20, Pogoy 18, Erram 16, Khobuntin 10, Castro 7, Oftana 6, K.Williams 4, Tungcab 2, Heruela 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Soyud 0.
Quarters: 34-22, 53-45, 68-71, 89-85.
