WATCH: Interview with Coach Tim Cone and Best Player Scottie Thompson [Oct. 2, 2022]

Brgy. Ginebra made a big turnaround from a disappointing conference debut, reasserting its mastery of old customer Meralco with a 99-91 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Stunned by Rain or Shine, 93-71, on Wednesday, the Gin Kings made sure not to fall on the same mistake, playing aggressively all throughout this time to get the first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the expense of the Bolts.

“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 Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson led the Ginebra guys who had huge bounceback efforts as they avenged their All-Filipino quarterfinals loss to the Bolts.

Brownlee, limited to 20 points the last time out, erupted for 34 points that went with five rebounds, four assists and two steals while Scottie Thompson, held to 0-of-4 field shooting by ROS, rebounded big time with a 15-9-9 point-rebound-assist production.

Stanley Pringle (16), Jamie Malonzo (10), Japeth Aguilar (10) and Christian Standhardinger (10) chipped in double-digit outputs as the Kings took control almost all the way versus a Meralco side struggling minus injury-hit ace local Chris Newsome.

Meralco coach Norman Black opted not to play Newsome as they’re still awaiting the result of the MRI test on the player’s sore calf.