TWO down, one to go for Barangay Ginebra.

Ginebra turned to import Justin Brownlee to roll back NLEX, 104-94, and move within a win of advancing to the finals in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Brownlee finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists to power the Gin Kings, who outscored the Road Warriors, 58-39, in the middle quarters to take a huge 16-point advantage going into the payoff period.

The Road Warriors, who finished second in the elimination round, never recovered from there.

Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger and LA Tenorio also came through with double-digit scores for Ginebra, which can finish off NLEX with another victory in Game 3 of the scheduled best-of-five semifinal series on Sunday.

Thompson had another double-double for the Gin Kings with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Standhardinger added 17 points and 11 rebounds and Tenorio contributed 15 points and seven assists.

Matt Nieto topscored with 19 points for NLEX, which led by as many as 11 points, 37-26, in the second quarter.

Import Cameron Clark added 15 points and five rebounds before fouling out with still six minutes left.

In the other semifinal, Meralco outsteadied Magnolia Pambansang Manok, 81-75, to level their own series at 1-1.

Tony Bishop finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds and Chris Newsome added 18 points for the Bolts.

Meanwhile, Alaska owner Wilfred S. Uytengsu expressed gratitude to Converge ICT Solutions for its great interest in acquiring its PBA franchise and continue the long winning tradition of the Aces.

Uytengsu said he is happy that a highly-respected firm considered one of the top telecommunication service providers in the country is coming in to take over the Alaska franchise.

“We are pleased that the new owners of our storied franchise are industry leaders, and are grateful to Mr. Dennis Uy and Converge for ensuring that the Alaska Aces team will get to continue in this new direction under his stewardship,” said Uytengsu in a statement following the franchise buyout.

Since entering the PBA in 1986, lask emerged as one of the winnigest teams with 14 championships in 31 finals appearances.

Converge, owned by Pampanga billionaire Dennis Anthony Uy, officially acquired the Alaska franchise last Wednesday after the Aces played their final game in Asia’s first play-for-pay league following their loss to the NLEX in the quarterfinals.

The scores:

First game

Ginebra (104)– Brownlee 32, Thompson 17, Standhardinger 17, Tenorio 15, Devance 7, Pinto 10, Tolentino 6, 3, Caperal 0, Chan 0, Ayaay 0.
NLEX (94) — Nieto 19, Clark 15, Chua 12, Alas 12, Rosales 10, Trollano 10, Quinahan 8, Semerad 3, Ighalo 3, Paniamogan 2.
Quarterscores: 24-27, 55-49, 82-66, 104-94.

Second game

Meralco (81) – Bishop 22, Newsome 18, Black 14, Banchero 10, Maliksi 6, Almazan 5, Hugnatan 3, Quinto 2, Jose 1, Hodge 0, Caram 0, Baclao 0.
Magnolia (75) – Harris 25, Lee 10, Sangalang 9, Abueva 9, Dela Rosa 7, Jalalon 6, Corpuz 3, Barroca 3, Wong 3, Dionisio 0, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 42-37, 66-61, 81-75.