WATCH: Brgy. Ginebra vs San Miguel Highlights [SF Game 2 | PBA S47 Govs’ Cup | Mar. 26, 2023]

Justin Brownlee and Christian Standhardinger each scored 32 points and Scottie Thompson added a triple-double in leading Barangay Ginebra to a crucial 121-103 victory over San Miguel Beer Sunday in their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals duel at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Together with their multi-faceted offense the Gin Kings also proved to be tenacious on defense as they led from start to finish enroute to taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, a hole which only one out of 42 previous teams have ever climbed out of.

Following a much more impressive win than its 121-112 victory in the opener last Friday, the defending champion now has three chances to wrap up the duel and book a return trip to the finals, starting Wednesday when the series shifts over to the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Tim Cone prefers to temper everybody’s expectations of a sweep, taking the moment to admit even he was taken aback by the way his team played with much more energy and eventually go up by such an imposing count against a powerhouse team like SMB.

“I’m totally shocked by this game in terms of how our guys played in a Game 2 like that. Really shocked and obviously really pleased,” said Cone before himself offering the explanation.

“I think what the guys really pride themselves in is they’re all two-way players,” commented Cone. “Basically, we’re a team that prides ourselves on both sides of the floor… and that gives us an opportunity to win games like this.”

That also gives the Gin Kings the momentum to try and wield a big broom in Game 3.