Brgy. Ginebra def Blackwater, 112-98 [PBA S49 Govs’ Cup | Sep. 10, 2024]
Brgy. Ginebra exacted revenge on Blackwater with a resounding 112-98 victory on Tuesday in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, showcasing a remarkable team effort.
Scottie Thompson delivered a standout performance, recording a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. His contribution was pivotal in helping the Kings halt the Bossing’s impressive three-game winning streak.
Justin Brownlee also shone brightly for Ginebra, finishing with 20 points and nine rebounds, while RJ Abarrientos chipped in with 15 points. This victory marks Ginebra’s third consecutive win since suffering a surprising 95-88 setback against Blackwater on August 30.
In addition to Thompson’s brilliance, Stephen Holt contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Japeth Aguilar added another 14 points, as the Kings built a commanding lead, reaching a 19-point advantage at 105-86.
While Ginebra was explosive on offense, they excelled defensively as well, effectively limiting the high-scoring George King to just 21 points—his lowest total in four games with Blackwater.
Sedrick Barefield, who had previously made a crucial four-point play in Blackwater’s first-round victory over Ginebra, managed to score 15 points but struggled with his shooting, going 5-of-13 from the field.
Ginebra’s shift in mindset was evident from the outset, as they jumped to a 36-22 lead by the end of the first quarter, with Brownlee scoring 11 points in the opening moments.
The final margin belied the match’s competitiveness, as Blackwater only trailed by two points, 78-76, in the third quarter. However, Ginebra closed out the period with a decisive 13-6 run, ignited by a three-pointer from Thompson, pushing the score to 91-82.
For Blackwater, Troy Rosario tallied 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Christian David contributed 13 points in a game where the team struggled with their perimeter shooting, making only 1-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc.
