IT was business as usual for Barangay Ginebra.

Despite being separated for more than two weeks due to Gilas Pilipinas campaign, Ginebra played true to form and brought down top seed NorthPort Batang Pier, 115-93, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Five players, led by import Justin Brownlee, scored in double figures for the Gin Kings, who struck first in the best-of-seven semifinals series.

Brownlee finished with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, four rebounds, four assists in 32 minutes of action.

He got plenty of help.

Troy Rosario added 16 points and eight rebounds , RJ Abarrientos added 15 points and Jamie Malonzo contributed 14 points.

Abarrientos also had seven dimes and six boards while Malonzo had five boards.

Japeth Aguilar chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds.

While Ginebra got balanced scoring, only two player scored in double figures for the Batang Pier with import Kadeem Jack leading the way with 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting.

Jack also got 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 39 minutes of play.

Joshua Munzon added 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.

However, Arvin Tolentino and Will Navarro managed only eight points each.

.Evan Nelle and Sidney Onwubere chipped in seven points each in a losing effort.

The Gin Kings actually outscored the Batang Pier 32-14 in the third period before taking full control of the game.

The scores:

Ginebra (115) — Brownlee 19, Rosario 16, Abarrientos 15, Malonzo 14, J.Aguilar 11, Holt 7, Mariano 7, Thompson 6, Ahanmisi 5, R. Aguilar 3, Pessumal 2, Pinto 1, Adamos 0.
Northport (93) — Jack 33, Munzon 10, Tolentino 8, Navarro 8, Nelle 7, Onwubere 7, Taha 6, Bulanadi 4, Yu 3, Cuntapay 3, Miranda 2, Flores 2.
Quarterscores: 31-22, 56-51, 88-65, 115-93.

Games Friday

(Philsports Arena)
5 p.m.– Northport vs. Ginebra
7:30 p.m.– Rain or Shine vs. TNT

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya