Barangay Ginebra had its never-say-die spirit in full display Wednesday night, as it survived the gritty Magnolia Hotshots in Game 3, 107-103, in the semifinals of the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee had a superb game for the Gin Kings, finishing with 46 points on 14-of-25 shooting from the field, along with 19 rebounds, five dimes, three blocks, and two steals in 45 minutes.
The defending champions fought back from a 58-40 deficit and scored 37 big points in the third frame to seize a 79-78 lead that stretched to 11, 100-89, midway through the payoff period.
As a result, the top-seeded Ginebra averted a sweep in the best-of-five affair, cutting their series deficit to 1-2.
The scores:
GINEBRA 107 – Brownlee 46, Thompson 15, Tenorio 14, Aguilar11, Devance 8, Chan 5, Mercado 3, Slaughter 3, Caperal 0, Ferrer 0.
MAGNOLIA 103 – Barroca 19, Lee 17, Sangalang 16, Travis 12, Jalalon 10, Brondial 10, Dela Rosa 8, Simon 5, Melton 3, Reavis 3, Herndon 0, Gamalinda 0.
Quarter scores: 23-22, 41-58, 79-81, 107-103.