FORMER Best Import awardee Justin Brownlee proved unstoppable as Barangay Ginebra brought down Meralco, 99-93, in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Brownlee finished with a near triple double of 36 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to power the Gin Kings to a series-tying victory over the Bolts in their best-of-seven title showdown.

Scottie Thompson added a double-double perfomance with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while LA Tenorio had 13 points for Ginebra, which led by 18 points, 60-42, at halftime.

Christian Standhardinger also contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds and Nards Pinto had 10 points off the bench for the coach Tim Cone-mentored Gin Kings.

“We had to make some spectacular plays down the stretch to win this game, and that’s the way a series is going to be,” said Cone.

“With Justin struggling in Game 1, you knew he’s gonna come back and blow everybody away in Game 2,” stressed Cone, referring to Brownlee’s 22-point explosion in the first half.

Import Tony Bishop led the Bolts’ losing effort with 31 points and 13 rebounds.

Aaron Black added a career-high 24 points and six assists and Chris Banchero had 14 points.

But Allein Maliksi, the hero in Magnolia’s 104-91 victory in the series opener with 22 points, was held scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting.

With Brownlee doing most of the damage, the Gin Kings outscored the Bolts, 40-19, in the second period to open up a huge 60-42 advantage.

The lead booned to 69-49 on a three-pointer by Jeff Chan

But the Bolts slowly but surely battled their way back, cutting the deficit to only 11 points, 71-82, going into the payoff period.

Meralco continued its rally in the fourth period and even came to within 86-88 on a basket by Bishop

But Standhardinger and Brownlee answered back with three-point plays each to make it 94-86.

“I thought Ginebra shot the ball really, really well tonight compared to the first game,” said Meralco coach Norman Black

“We just seemed to be a step slower as far as closing out on the shooters, and challenging their shots..We did a much better job in the second half but we let them get a lead which was pretty difficult to overcome.”

Game 3 is scheduled Sunday also at the MOA.

The scores:

Ginebra (99) — Brownlee 36, Thompson 16, Tenorio 13, Standhardinger 12, Pinto 10, Chan 7, Mariano 5, Salado 0, Onwubere 0, Devance 0, Ayaay 0
Meralco (93) — Bishop 31, Black 24, Banchero 14, Newsome 7, Almazan 6, Quinto 5, Hodge 4, Baclao 2, Belo 0, Hugnatan 0
Quarterscores: 20-23, 60-42, 82-71, 99-93.