PBA: Ginebra sweeps Meralco, clinches semis berth

Barangay Ginebra survived yet another close game, this time to secure a semifinals berth as it eked out a 113-106 win over Meralco in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Gin Kings, who crawled back from 12 points down, thus completed a series sweep to advance to the semifinals against either sister team San Miguel or Converge.

Justin Brownlee, whose late game-winning three-pointer propelled them to a Game 2 win, led the way anew with 23 points alongside three rebounds and four assists while Stephen Holt came up with some big shots down the stretch to finish with 19 markers, seven boards, and five dimes.

"First of all, I am totally shocked that we were able to beat them in three straight games," Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said.

"They beat us in the last series, they tore us apart in Game 7, so it's been a long time coming to come back and be able to make up for that for our fans as well."

Ginebra struggled to pull away for good in the fourth despite some huge baskets from rookie RJ Abarrientos, who completed a three-point play chance for a 97-94 lead.

But Meralco import Allen Durham rallied the Bolts back, knocking down two baskets before sinking two free throws to answer the back-to-back triples from Maverick Ahanmisi and Stephen Holt, 100-105.

Chris Newsome then completed two charities of his own to cut the deficit to a single possession, 102-105, with 1:55 to go.

Ginebra's defense then came crucial in the endgame as the Gin Kings secured two offensive rebounds that led to a Scottie Thompson jumper before a Japeth Aguilar putback off a Ahanmisi missed triple sent Ginebra to a more comfortable 109-102 cushion in the final 28 ticks.

There was still some glimpse of hope for Meralco after Anjo Caram converted a quick four-point shot, but the Bolts were forced to commit a foul as Holt sank two freebies, 111-106.

Caram tried to come up with another magic, but the veteran guard went wide on his final four-pointer attempt as Ahanmisi sealed the win with two more free throws.

Aguilar chipped in 19 points, eight rebounds, and two assists while Abarrientos and Ahanmisi posted 17 markers apiece with the latter grabbing seven boards and two dimes.

Ginebra now awaits the winner of the other QF pairings between the Beermen and the FiberXers with San Miguel holding a commanding 2-0 series lead.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News