Thompson-Brownlee magic works as Barangay Ginebra nears PBA Commissioner's Cup title

Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee showed magic in the endgame, steering Barangay Ginebra to a 73-66 Game 5 win to inch closer to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup title on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Thompson and Brownlee accounted for the last 12 points of the Gin Kings, paving the way to gain an upper hand for the first time this series against the Tropang Giga. 

Brownlee made up for a tough two-point outing at the half and ended up with 18 points alongside 14 rebounds, five assists, and one steal while Thompson churned out 16 markers, 10 boards, five dimes, two steals, and one block as they improved to 3-2. 

Ginebra had to stare at a 45-35 hole after the first two quarters with Brownlee going cold after just scoring two in the first half. The resident import then came alive in the succeeding periods, knocking down a floater at the third quarter buzzer to give Ginebra the lead at 57-56. 

TNT, however, did not allow Ginebra to break away for good with Kim Aurin hitting a basket that would give Ginebra a 64-61 lead. 

Ginebra found the finishing touches as Thompson and Brownlee fueled their 12-2 closing run, including the former's back-to-back floater to deliver the victory despite a hand injury he sustained in Game 3. 

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 73 – Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, J.Aguilar 11, Ahanmisi 11, Rosario 6, Malonzo 6, Holt 3, Abarrientos 2, Tenorio 0.

TNT 66 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Oftana 8, Pogoy 8, Aurin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Williams 0, Exciminiano 0, Khobuntin 0.

Quarters: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News