Ginebra import Justin Brownlee tests the defense of San Miguel’s Matt Ganuelas-Rosser. pba images
Ginebra dethrones San Miguel to rule Commissioner’s Cup
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel used a huge third quarter run to pull off a 93-77 victory over defending champion San Miguel Beer in Game 6 of the best-of-seven Finals and win the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Gin Kings secured the title with a 4-2 win in the series.
Down three at the half, 35-38, Ginebra turned the heat up in the third, outscoring San Miguel 27-8 to erect a 62-46 lead going into the fourth.
Ginebra didn’t ease off the gas pedal in the fourth, going up by as many as 22 to cruise to the victory.
San Miguel, which struggled to score in the second half, got 29 points from Cebuano June Mar Fajardo and 24 from import Renaldo Balkman but didn’t get the usual numbers from other reliables such as Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter as the Beermen failed to win back-to-back titles after ruling the Philippine Cup earlier this year.
The loss was also the first for San Miguel head coach Leo Austria in the Finals in seven trips.
Best Import awardee Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings with 31 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists and four blocked shots.
Ginebra captured its first Commissioner’s Cup title in 21 years and their 11th overall.
Tim Cone, already the winningest mentor in history, took home his 21st title, third with Ginebra, as head coach. / with a report from the Inquirer
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