Barangay Ginebra survives late Meralco rally to draw first blood

Barangay Ginebra survived a late rally from the Meralco Bolts, 99-92, to draw first blood in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Ginebra led by as much as 15 points, 66-51, at the 6:52 mark of the third period before the said frame ended at 73-71. 

RJ Abarrientos hit a triple at the 2:50 mark of the fourth period to put Ginebra in a 95-85 lead. Chris Newsome's split and Cliff Hodge's layup gave the Bolts a fighting chance before Scottie Thompson hit a basket. Back-to-back baskets from Chris Banchero and Allen Durham put Meralco within five with 27 ticks left, but Justin Brownlee's split sealed the Game 1 win for Barangay Ginebra.

"We haven't played Meralco this conference yet so we're kind of in a feeling out process. Justin has never played against Nenad and Luigi before and we have a bunch of guys who never played against Meralco before so it's a feeling out process throughout the game," head coach Tim Cone said.

"We came out on top so we made more plays, he made more plays down the stretch so that was the key. It could've gone either way."

The resident Barangay Ginebra import had 29 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block, while Thompson had 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, and a steal.

Cliff Hodge had 23 points, while Newsome had 20 points. Meralco import Allen Durham had 17 points, 13 rebounds, three steals.

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 99 – Brownlee 29, Thompson 19, Holt 14, J.Aguilar 10, Cu 9, Abarrientos 8, Ahanmisi 8, Devance 2, R.Aguilar 0.

Meralco 92 – Hodge 23, Newsome 20, Durham 17, Banchero 11, Quinto 10, Caram 6, Almazan 5, Rios 0, Mendoza 0, Bates 0, Cansino 0, Jose 0.

Quarters: 28-24, 53-43, 73-71, 99-92.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News