Barangay Ginebra takes down Meralco in Game 5 to inch closer to Governors' Cup title

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is a win away from another PBA Governors' Cup title.

In front of a crowd of 18,251, Ginebra took Game 5 of the reinforced conference finals against the Meralco Bolts, 115-110, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Trailing in double digits around the six minute-mark of the fourth period, the Bolts cut their deficit to one after Tony Bishop's personal eight-point run and Aaron Black's layup at the 4:44 mark.

However, back-to-back shots from Christian Standhardinger and a triple from Best Player of the Conference Scottie Thompson further extended the Ginebra lead to eight, 105-97.

Black, Justin Brownlee, and Bishop made consecutive baskets past the two-minute mark before an LA Tenorio shot off a Thompson assist again gave Ginebra an eight-point lead with less than a minute left.

Chris Newsome cut Ginebra's lead to six and Bishop sank a triple with 27 seconds left, but free throws from LA Tenorio off two fouls from Black kept the Kings ahead by seven.

Brownlee's charities sealed the deal for Ginebra despite Newsome's shot late in the game.

Thompson flirted with a triple double with 19 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, while Brownlee tallied 40 points and 11 rebounds. Arvin Tolentino waxed hot from beyond the arc with four of nine triples and listed 16 points.

Bishop posted a stat line of 30 points and 15 rebounds, while Chris Newsome made 27 points.

With the win, Ginebra took the 3-2 series lead.

Game 6 of the Finals will be played on Wednesday at the same venue.

The Scores:

Ginebra  115 – Brownlee 40, Thompson 19, Tolentino 16, Standharindger 13, Tenorio 10, Pinto 8, J. Aguilar 6, Chan 3.

Meralco  110 – Bishop 30, Newsome 27, Black 25, Maliksi 12, Almazan 6, Belo 4, Hodge 2, Quinto 2, Banchero 2.

Quarters: 25-22, 54-43, 82-73, 115-110.

—MGP, GMA News