Ginebra regains footing, takes Game Five, 85-74

Ginebra regains footing, takes Game Five, 85-74

Ginebra regains footing, takes Game Five, 85-74
PBA

Ginebra regains footing, takes Game Five, 85-74

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By Michael Angelo S. Murillo

LOST the previous two games of their best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup finals series, the defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings regained their footing and are now back in the driver’s seat, 3-2, after taking Game Five, 85-74, last night at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Staring at the possibility of losing the cushion they built in the championship affair of the season-ending PBA tournament after opening their bid with a 2-0 series lead, the Kings broke the Bolts’ winning run albeit still needing to hang tight to get the win.

The Kings opened Game Five strong, dictating the tempo in the early goings of the match.

But the Bolts no sooner got their bearing and made their move and claimed the lead 13-12 with three minutes remaining in the opening frame before the Kings went on a 9-2 run to finish the quarter and take a 21-15 lead at the end.

Barangay Ginebra would continue to put pressure on Meralco in the second quarter as they built their biggest lead of 18 points, 33-15, on the strength of a 12-0 run in the first three minutes of the period.

Meralco though would charge back behind import Allen Durham and guard Garvo Lanete, coming within seven points, 36-29, at the 2:12 mark.

The Kings survive the onslaught of the Bolts to remain ahead, 42-35, by the halftime lull.

The nip-and-tuck affair continued in the third canto with Meralco boosted by the run it had in the second quarter.

Mr. Durham and Anjo Caram led the Bolts’ comeback that saw them take the lead, 60-58, with three minute remaining in the frame.

But Justin Brownlee would help the Kings to stay ahead with timely baskets, and saw them on top, 66-62 by the end of the third quarter.

Meralco kept crowding Barangay Ginebra in the payoff quarter, staying within striking distance, 74-70, as the fourth period reached the halfway point.

A 7-0 run after though by the Kings allowed it to generate much momentum to which they would take cue from.

They took a 13-point lead, 84-71, with less than three minutes remaining and went on to bank the win, which pushed them to within one win away from repeating as champions.

Mr. Brownlee had 22 points to lead Barangay Ginebra to go along with 12 rebounds and five assists while Greg Slaughter, who was later named player of the game, finished with 17 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.

Mr. Durham, meanwhile, led Meralco with 27 points and 18 rebounds.

“We won by team effort tonight. And if we are to win the championship we need to play as a team. Meralco made a good run in the third period and it was a wake-up call for us,” said Mr. Slaughter after the game, referring to what did it for them in Game Five.

Game Five last night was the first time that the Philippine Arena hosted a PBA finals and attracted a big crowd of 36,445. Game Six of the finals will also be played in the venue on Wednesday.