Brownlee, Malonzo lead way as Ginebra pulls away late vs NorthPort

Justin Brownlee and Jamie Malonzo led the way during Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's late rally against NorthPort, 122-105, as they bounced back from a loss in the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday.

Ginebra, which lost to NLEX in overtime last Friday, improved to 8-3 to tie Converge at the third spot while NorthPort saw its three-game winning streak snapped to drop to 6-6.

Leading by one at the start of the fourth period, 93-92, the Gin Kings leaned on Malonzo, whose triple capped off a 10-0 run early in the fourth as Ginebra erected a 106-96 lead. 

Another triple from Malonzo and six straight points from Brownlee made it a 116-101 cushion for Ginebra as the Batang Pier could not recover from the huge deficit.

Ginebra outscored Northport, 29-13, in the fourth period.

Brownlee was unstoppable from the get-go as he flirted with a triple-double with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists while Malonzo registered 26 markers, three boards, and two dimes against his former team. 

Scottie Thompson was also a key cog as he collected an all-around outing of eight points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. As a team, Ginebra had an impressive total of 38 assists. 

Five NorthPort players reached double digit marks with Arvin Tolentino leading with 24 points and six rebounds while import Prince Ibeh and Robert Bolick had 23 and 22 markers, respectively.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News