Barangay Ginebra unleashes 'Never Say Die' spirit, upsets TNT for a semis ticket

They aren't champions for nothing.

Reigning titleholder Barangay Ginebra overcame TNT's twice-to-beat advantage with a 115-95 victory on Saturday to move on to the semifinal round of the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

High-flying forward Japeth Aguilar came firing on all cylinders, finishing with 26 points on 11-for-14 from the field to go along with seven rebounds, and two blocks.

Resident import Justin Brownlee was also in his element after pouring in a team-high 29 markers, 18 boards, seven assists, and a block as they now await the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between NLEX and Alaska.

Up 103-89 midway through the payoff period, Ginebra showed no mercy and exploded for a 9-0 run, which was started and capped by Aguilar for a 112-89 cushion with less than two minutes left in the game.

Thompson, who capped off the night with 17 points, six boards, and six dimes, sealed the victory for the Gin Kings after a split on the charity line.

Ginebra built on the momentum they built in the first game where they eked out a 104-92 win over the third-seeded TNT.

The Tropang Giga, whose core powered Gilas Pilipinas last February, will make an early exit after reaching the finals the past two conferences.

TNT just paraded a new import with Leon Gilmore, who replaced Aaron Fuller, but the new reinforcement's stint in the PBA proved to be short-lived as the Tropang Giga ended their campaign.

Gilmore racked up 14 points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals while rookie Mikey Williams churned out 17 markers, six dimes, and three boards. 

Earlier, both the Magnolia Hotshots and Meralco Bolts advanced to the semis after dispatching Phoenix Super LPG and San Miguel, respectively.

The Scores:

Ginebra - Brownlee 29, Aguilar 26, Tenorio 22, Thompson 17, Standhardinger 10, Pinto 7, Chan 4, Caperal 0.

TNT - M. Williams 17, Gilmore 14, Castro 12, Erram 11, K. Williams 10, Pogoy 9, Rosario 7, Khobuntin 5, Montalbo 4, Cruz 3, Reyes 3, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

Quarters: 25-29, 59-48, 96-74, 115-95.

—MGP, GMA News