Barangay Ginebra draws first blood against TNT in Govs Cup finals

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel drew first blood against TNT Tropang Giga in the 2023 Governors' Cup Finals, 102-90, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was almost a wire-to-wire win for the defending champions as Ginebra pulled away and led by as much as 18 in multiple points in the fourth period.

Ginebra import Justin Brownlee posted his usual numbers of 31 points and 12 boards, while Jamie Malonzo had a significant contribution with 21 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Reigning Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson posted a triple-double of 13 rebounds, 11 assists, and 10 points.

The win spoiled Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's 30-20 statline and Mikey Williams' 23-point performance for injury-laden TNT. The Tropang Giga played without the likes of Kelly Williams while Justin Chua had an injury in the early part of the game which limited him to just 3:26 minutes of play.

Game 2 of the finals is set on Wednesday at the same venue.

The scores:

Ginebra 102 – Brownlee 31, Malonzo 21, Standhardinger 16, Pringle 11, Thompson 10, Gray 6, Mariano 5, Pinto 2, David 0.

TNT 90 – Hollis-Jefferson 30, M. Williams 23, Oftana 16, Castro 4, Erram 4, Chua 3, Khobuntin 2, Montalbo 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Varilla 0.

Quarters: 29-20, 50-43, 74-62,102-90.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News