Brownlee, Aguilar show way as Ginebra regains semis series lead vs. San Miguel

Justin Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar took charge on both ends, steering Barangay Ginebra to a 99-94 Game 3 win over San Miguel in their PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup best-of-seven semifinals affair on Sunday in the City of Dasmariñas, Cavite. 

Ginebra's resident import dropped 30 points despite missing all of his four four-point shots while also grabbing nine rebounds, five rebounds, and five blocks, while Aguilar provided the local support with 22 markers, eight boards, and three dimes.

The Gin Kings have now regained a series with a 2-1 advantage. 

"We defended so much better tonight, we played playoff defense tonight and I thought that was really the key," Ginebra coach Tim Cone said. 

"Thanks to this guy (Brownlee) we were able to win it and thanks to this guy. That was basically the story."

A pair of Brownlee free throws sent Ginebra to an 89-82 lead in the fourth, but the Beermen proved there was no quit in them with EJ Anosike, sinking two freebies and a midrange jumper as San Miguel pulled to within three, 90-93, with 1:41 to go. 

Stephen Holt then completed a layup, which was answered by a massive four-point shot from Marcio Lassiter that made it a three-point ballgame in the final 16.3 seconds. Maverick Ahanmisi then converted two charities to put the finishing kill. 

Ginebra will now look to secure a commanding 3-1 lead in Game 4 set on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 99 – Brownlee 30, J.Aguilar 22, Ahanmisi 15, Holt 11, Abarrientos 8, Thompson 8, Cu 5, Adamos 0, Devance 0.

San Miguel 94 – Anosike 32, Perez 13, Fajardo 12, Lassiter 12, Cruz 9, Romeo 8, Trollano 3, Ross 3, Tauatuaa 2, Rosales 0.

Quarters: 25-20, 54-45, 76-72, 99-94.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News