MANILA – Justin Brownlee put up a heroic performance not seen in 32 years to lead Ginebra to a 100-95 overtime win against TNT and a 3-2 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals in front of 18,039 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday.
The 38-year-old import finished with a career-high 54 points which, according to league data, was the most in a finals game since Swift import Tony Harris also dropped 54 against Alaska in Game 3 of the 1994 PBA Governors’ Cup championship.
The six-foot-six swingman carried the fight for the Gin Kings, scoring 35 of his points in the second half, when they managed to fight back from 11 points down, and through overtime.
Brownlee also had 14 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.
RJ Abarrientos added 13 points, two rebounds, four assists and one block.
Ginebra can close it out on Sunday night, also at the Big Dome. If needed, Game 7 will be played Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Chris McCullough led TNT with 38 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and one steal.
RR Pogoy added 23 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
The scores:
GINEBRA 100 – Brownlee 54, Abarrientos 13, J.Aguilar 12, Rosario 10, Thompson 6, Holt 2, Abis 2, Pinto 1, Torres 0, Cu 0, Gray 0.
TNT 95 – McCullough 38, Pogoy 23, Heading 13, Oftana 9, Castro 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Nambatac 2, Galinato 2, Williams 0, Khobuntin 0
Quarters: 25-17; 48-50; 75-70; 89-89 (reg.); 100-95 (PNA)
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