WATCH: Jamie Malonzo Highlights [PBA S47 Commissioner’s Cup]
Brgy. Ginebra routed Bay Area, 114-99, in front of a new league record 54,589 roaring fans to clinch the best-of-seven championship series, 4-3, in the PBA Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup, Sunday night at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue Bulacan.
The Gin Kings erupted for 34 points in the second frame while limiting the Dragons to only 18 to go into the halftime break with a 22-point advantage. The crowd darlings then battled the visitors on even terms in the second half to cruise to their third Commissioner’s Cup title and 15th overall since joining the league in 1979.
The victory enabled the Gin Kings to move past Magnolia and Alaska for the second winningest franchise in the league just behind San Miguel’s 28. The Hotshots and the now-defunct Aces share third and fourth spot with 14 titles.
Brgy. Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, meanwhile, solidified his stature as the league’s most successful bench tactician by picking up his 25th title, 7th with the Gin Kings.
“Frankly, we were angry about Game Six. We didn’t want to go to a Game Seven. We felt we had Game Six in hand. We made that nice comeback. We thought we had it in hand and then we let it slip away,” said Cone during the post-game press conference.
“I think that anger spilled over into Game Seven. Our guys are really locked in from the very first minute. I think they felt the energy of the crowd, the 54,000 that were here, just from the very first basket when Justin scored the first basket,” he added.
Justin Brownlee paced the home team with 34 points on 14-of-22 shooting including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. The newly naturalized Filipino also grabbed 8 rebounds, issued 12 assists, blocked 3 shots and had a steal in 46 minutes of action.
Jamie Malonzo, who was adjudged by TV panelists as the game’s Best Player, finished with 22 points, 17 rebounds, an assist and a steal, plus 2 blocks. Veterans Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar chipped in 18 and 14 markers respectively with the former adding 9 boards, 4 assists and 6 steals to his tally.
Christian Standhardinger, named as the Finals MVP, added a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds to go with 6 dimes while LA Tenorio contributed 10 points and 6 assists.