Gin Kings bounce back from 22-point loss, take down Bolts behind Brownlee’s 34

Brgy. Ginebra bounced back from a disappointing conference opener against Rain or Shine by repulsing Finals rival Meralco, 99-91, Sunday night in the elimination round of the PBA Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Six Gin Kings scored in double figures with resident import Justin Brownlee leading the charge with 34 on 11-of-24 shooting to go with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in 43 minutes of play.

The morale-boosting win eased the stigma of the team’s 22-point loss to the Elasto Painters last Wednesday while the Bolts absorbed their second straight defeat for a 0-2 record.

“We’re certainly stunned (by the 22-point blowout by ROS). Nobody in the locker room thought we’d got beat by 22 points, and it’s something we talked about, and it provided us a wakeup call,” said Brgy. Ginebra head coach Tim Cone during the post-game presser.

“In the end, Justin was our finisher. He finished the game for us,” he added.

Stanley Pringle scattered 16 points highlighted by 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc while Scottie Thompson rebounded from a 1-point performance against Rain or Shine and finished with 15 markers, 9 boards, 9 assists and 3 steals.

Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar and Christian Standhardinger chipped in 10 points apiece.

The Gin Kings take a week off before plunging back into action on Sunday, October 9, 6:45pm against the unbeaten Bay Area Dragons at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The scores:

Brgy. Ginebra 99 – Brownlee 34, Pringle 16, Thompson 15, J.Aguilar 10, Malonzo 10, Standhardinger 10, Tenorio 4, Pessumal 0.

Meralco 91 – O’Bryant 31, Maliksi 20, Black 14, Almazan 10, Pasaol 9, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Banchero 2, Caram 0, Hugnatan 0.

Quarterscores: 26-22, 49-41, 73-65, 99-91.