AMAZING Barangay Ginebra is on a streak of come-from-behind victories so early in the conference.
After fighting back from nine points down in a triumphant conference debut versus Rain or Shine, the Kings were at it again Wednesday, clawing back from a 12-point deficit to end NLEX' unbeaten run with a 114-111 decision at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee stood his ground in an explosive shootout with Wayne Selden, and Jonathan Gray helped big time with crucial treys down the stretch as the Gin Kings sustained their romp from their title run in the recent PBA Commissioner's Cup.
With a 13-3 closing tear highlighted by three treys from Gray, the Gin Kings got to a 2-0 start in the season-ending Governors' Cup while dealing the Road Warriors a first loss after going 4-0 with original import Jonathon Simmons.
Gray finished with 19 points in a solid back-up job to Brownlee's 44 markers, 16 rebounds and six assists.
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Scottie Thompson (12 points) and Stanley Pringle (10) were two other Kings in double figures as LA Tenorio continued to play spot minutes (3:45) while Christian Standhardinger was out of it all.
Selden had a fiery showing in his PBA debut, bombing away 43 points on top of seven assists and the same number of rebounds.
Kevin Alas and Brandon Ganuelas Rosser tossed in 22 and 19 points, respectively.
Still, the Road Warriors came out short as they were held to just three points - courtesy of Alas' three-point play - in the last 2:43 of play.
After Ginebra surged ahead at 112-111 on Gray's fifth and last triple of the night, Alas hastened their downfall with a critical turnover with 4.1 seconds to go.
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Still, the Road Warriors had one last chance to send the game into overtime even after Brownlee made it 114-111 on two charities. Alas, Selden misfired a three-point try at the buzzer.
Selden came out firing, unloading 12 of their 25 points in the opening quarter.
And he himself was on the forefront of their attack as they seized control on a 37-25 juggernaut in the third period capped by a Selden trey at the buzzer.
They looked very much in control at 108-101 before the Kings unleashed their 13-3 closing run. (SB)
The Scores:
Ginebra 114 - Brownlee 44, Gray 19, Thompson 12, Pringle 10, Malonzo 9, J. Aguilar 9, Pinto 8, Tenorio 3, Pessumal 0, R. Aguilar 0, Mariano 0.
NLEX 111 - Selden Jr. 43, Alas 22, Ganuelas-Rosser 19, Rosales 10, Trollano 6, Semerad 6, Gabo 3, Anthony 2, Pascual 0, Doliguez 0.
Quarters: 28-25, 59-55, 84-92, 114-111
