Barangay Ginebra San Miguel avoided what could have been another collapse as it held off Meralco to level their 2016 PBA Governorsโ Cup Finals series at 1-1 Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Sol Mercado made the go-ahead basket, a putback off an LA Tenorio miss, 81-79, with 28.2 seconds left before holding his ground against Meralco import Allen Durham on the other end.
Justin Brownlee, who lost the Best Import award to Durham, finished with 32 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Gin Kings.
The Bolts had a couple of chances to force overtime but Allen Durham and Cliff hodge missed potential game-tying 3-pointers as time ran out.
Game 3 is on Wednesday, 7 p.m., still at the Big Dome.
