Ginebra stays alive, defeats TNT by 24

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel shot 54 percent from the field to bury the TNT KaTropa, 125-101, to stay alive in their best-of-five semifinals series at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

Ginebra exploded for 34 points in the opening period and never looked back, leading by as many as 32 points.

Heading into the final frame, the Gin Kings led 96-74, before outscoring TNT 29-27 in the last 12 minutes of the game to earn the victory.

Justin Brownlee paced Ginebra with 31 points and 11 boards, while Scottie Thompson tallied 17 markers with five boards and four assists.

Japeth Aguilar rounded up the starters in double figures with 15.

Sol Mercado led the bench with 12 points with three triples, while Joe Devance finished the game with 10.

RR Garcia top scored for TNT with 16 off the bench, while Mo Tautuaa was the only starter in double figures with 15.

Harvey Carey also provided 11 markers in less than nine minutes on the floor.

The Texters played most of the game without their import, as Josh Smith had to be taken out with less than seven minutes left in the second period.

Smith finished the game with four points and seven rebounds before leaving the venue with the team doctor.

Game 4 will be on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome. — BAP, GMA News