JUSTIN Brownlee atoned for a mere 18-point outing the last time with a 49-point explosion Wednesday night, leading a bounce-back effort for Barangay Ginebra with a 114-98 lashing of Terrafirma in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
RJ Abarrientos also had a big game with 18 markers, helping Ginebra back on track after a 90-93 defeat at the hands of Hong Kong Eastern on Sunday.
Brownlee and Abarrientos both waxed hot from afar, combining for 10 three-pointers as the Kings climbed to joint third with Meralco and Rain or Shine at 3-1 while pushing the Dyip deeper down the cellar at 0-6.
Ginebra as a whole played with great resolve and purpose, dominating the hapless Terrafirma side with a lead as big as 22 at 69-47 in the third period.
Brandon Walton Edwards and his teammates actually chipped away as Ginebra slacked off a bit in the final canto.
Sponsored content: But as the Dyip came to within five at 94-99 on a three-point play from Vic Manuel, the Gin Kings regrouped, with Brownlee fueling a 12-2 salvo to eventually finish off the Dyip.
Troy Rosario was a third Ginebra guy in double figures with 17 while Edwards paced the Dyip with 27 markers plus 12 boards.
Brownlee sizzled with 6-of-11 three-pointers while Abarrientos had a 4-of-5 clip as the Gin Kings bucked the absence of Japeth Aguilar (groin injury) and Stephen Holt (knee).
The Kings set the pace early, taking the opening quarter at 26-20 before heading to the halftime break with a 52-43 cushion.
They then sustained their torrid shooting at the resumption, erecting a 22-point lead before settling for an 85-69 margin at the end of the third.
Sponsored content: Ginebra regained its winning form ahead of its road game in Batangas City versus Converge on Saturday.
On Christmas Day, the Gin Kings will be back in action against the Magnolia Hotshots in a keenly awaited tiff. (SB)
The scores:
Ginebra 114 - Brownlee 49, Abarrientos 18, Rosario 17, Thompson 8, Adamos 7, Pessumal 6, Mariano 5, Ahanmisi 4, Cu 0, Tenorio 0, Pinto 0.
Terrafirma 98 - Edwards 27, Manuel 19, Pringle 11, Hernandez 10, Ferrer 9, Paraiso 8, Ramos 5, Melecio 5, Sangalang 2, Catapusan 2, Olivario 0, Hanapi 0.
Quarterscores: 26-20, 52-43, 85-69, 114-98
