Scottie Thompson of Ginebra soars for a layup against TNT’s Kelly Williams.
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Barangay Ginebra displayed its full strength as it clobbered TNT, 121-94, to gain a 1-0 lead in their best-of-5 semifinals series in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Monday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Brownlee opened the floodgates for the Gin Kings in the first quarter as he anchored a 14-2 blast to turn a 17-19 deficit into a 31-21 lead.
Brownlee fired a team-high 21 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting clip on top of eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
The 29-year-old forward, then, teamed up with Greg Slaughter to further pounce on the hapless KaTropa in the third quarter, before Mark Caguioa followed suit in the fourth period.
“They beat us up in the eliminations, and we got them today,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
The Kings got back at the KaTropa, who manhandled them, 121-92, in the elimination round.
Joe Devance scattered 19 markers, four boards, and three assists, while Slaughter collected 16 points, seven rebounds, five dimes, and four blocks off the bench in the win.
Caguioa uncorked all of his 13 markers in the fourth quarter as three other players finished in double-digits for the Gin Kings.
Game 2 is on Wednesday at Batangas City Coliseum in Batangas City.