Barangay Ginebra rallies past NLEX, draws first blood in semis clash

Barangay Ginebra banked on a furious fourth quarter rally to escape NLEX, 95-86, in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinal series in the PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Justin Brownlee was in his usual element, dropping 27 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks as Ginebra drew first blood in the series.

LA Tenorio led three other locals who were in double digit marks as the veteran guard chipped in 19 markers, six boards, and six dimes while Scottie Thompson added 15.

After squandering a huge lead, NLEX put up a fightback in the fourth, equalizing the match at 78-apiece following back-to-back buckets from import Cameron Clark. The Road Warriors led by as many as 16 points early in the second quarter.

But Ginebra, eager to defend their title, countered with a 15-0 rampage highlighted by a triple each from Thompson and Jeff Chan for a 93-78 cushion.

Kevin Alas, one of the contenders for Best Player of the Conference, tried to mount a comeback after scoring three straight points but time just ran out for NLEX.

Clark finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals while Alas carved out 17 markers and five boards as their efforts went for naught.

Game 2 of the series is on Friday at 3 p.m.

The Scores:

Ginebra - Brownlee 27, Tenorio 19, Thompson 15, Tolentino 11, Standhardinger 10, Chan 7, Aguilar 4, Pinto 2, Caperal 0, Onwubere 0.

NLEX - Clark 30, Alas 17, Semerad 8, Quiñahan 8, Trollano 6, Paniamogan 5, Nieto 4, Chua 3, Rosales 3, Varilla 2, Ighalo 0,

Quarters: 23-29, 43-45, 70-64, 95-86.

—MGP, GMA News