Brownlee drops 39 as Ginebra rips NorthPort to move closer to semis

Justin Brownlee detonated for 39 points to tow Barangay Ginebra to a 118-102 Game 1 victory over NorthPort in their best-of-three quarterfinal series of the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday. 

The Ginebra resident import shot 16-of-24 from the field while also posting eight rebounds, seven assists, four blocks, and one steal as his team inched closer to a semifinal spot. 

Ginebra was leading all the way but NorthPort tied things up at 70-all after an alley-oop from Prince Ibeh off an assist from Jerick Balanza in the 4:38 mark of the third quarter. But Ginebra answered with a furious 19-4 closing run to head to the final period enjoying an 89-74 cushion. 

Stanley Pringle came off the bench with 16 points and three assists while Jamie Malonzo registered 13 markers, nine boards, four dimes, and two steals against his old team as LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson chipped in 12 and 11 points apiece. 

A former Ginebra player, meanwhile, starred for NorthPort as Arvin Tolentino poured in 29 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a block while Robert Bolick chimed in with 21 markers and six dimes. 

Ginebra will shoot for a sweep and a semis ticket on Saturday for Game 2 of the series.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News