MANILA, Philippines – Just like Chot Reyes predicted, it will be TNT and Barangay Ginebra vying for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown.
The Gin Kings will face the Tropang Giga in the finals for the second straight conference after crushing top seed NorthPort, 126-99, to wrap up their best-of-seven semifinals in five games at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, March 7.
Led by Justin Brownlee and Jamie Malonzo, six players scored in double figures for Ginebra, which coasted to another blowout victory after winning Games 1, 2, and 3 by an average of 20.7 points.
Brownlee chalked up 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, while Malonzo turned in 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in the rout that saw the Gin Kings blow the game wide open on the back of a big third quarter.
The Batang Pier trailed by single digits at halftime, 53-62, before Ginebra unleashed a blistering 27-5 run to start the third period to mount their biggest lead of the game at 89-58.
Malonzo and Scottie Thompson scattered 9 and 7 points, respectively, in that rally that allowed the Gin Kings to cruise the rest of the way.
RJ Abarrientos also starred with 20 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, Japeth Aguilar supplied 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Thompson finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.
Troy Rosario ended up in twin-digit scoring as well with 11 points before he twisted his right ankle in the third quarter and never returned.
It was a rather bland end to a matchup initially expected to be a nip-and-tuck battle, especially after NorthPort finished the elimination round as the top seed.
The Batang Pier won 10 of their 13 games en route to the final four only to fizzle out.
Import Kadeem Jack carried the fight for NorthPort anew with 31 points and 6 rebounds, while Allyn Bulanadi fired 26 points.
Best Player of the Conference candidate Arvin Tolentino got limited to just 9 points on 2-of-13 shooting to go with 13 rebounds and 3 assists in the losing effort.
The Scores
Barangay Ginebra 126 – Brownlee 21, Abarrientos 20, Malonzo 20, J. Aguilar 18, Thompson 14, Rosario 11, Ahanmisi 9, Holt 7, Mariano 2, Pinto 2, Adamos 2, Cu 0, Pessumal 0, R. Aguilar 0.
NorthPort 99 – Jack 31, Bulanadi 26, Munzon 12, Taha 10, Tolentino 9, Navarro 9, Onwubere 2, Nelle 0, Flores 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarters: 23-22, 62-53, 97-76, 126-99.
– Rappler.com