It was every basketball fans were expecting. A see-saw battle until the final buzzer. Corwd darlings won Game 1 of the PBAGovernors’ Cup finals courtesy of a Japeth Aguilar clutch block against Meralco import Allen Durham to give Barangay Ginebra a 91-87 victory in Game 1 on Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts controlled the game in the first three quarters, but the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, true to their never-say-die attitude rallied twice in the final period steal the game.
Gin Kings import Justin Brownlee finished with a monstrous 38-point performance, putting an icing to his superb performance with a game-clinching free throws after Japeth Aguilar made the crucial rejection against Allen Durham’s shot for at a game-tying basket.
“I honestly feel this is the way it’s going to be every game,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone after a thrilling start to the third finals meeting between the two teams in four years. “It’s going to be a grind out fight to the end.” Both Cone and Meralco Bolts coach Norman Black predicted a tight battle in a press conference before Game 1.
Meralco relied on the trio of Allen Durham, Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan, who scored 25, 24, and 20 points respectively. The Bolts was even ahead with a 63-53 lead in the last 4:39 of the third quarter. But the Ginebra Gin Kings lead by Justin Brownlee held their ground with key baskets to cut down the Meralco lead going towards the last quarter.
Brownlee also collared 16 rebounds to complete a double-double while Aguilar contributed 16 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Aguilar also came up big on offense early in the fourth quarter, sparking a 12-2 start that allowed Ginebra to grab an 80-73 lead.
Durham tallied 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists, but his triple-double – as well as big games by Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan were not enough against Ginebra’s comeback.
Durham felt there was an obvious contact made by Japeth Aguilar when the Barangay Ginebra big man foiled a possible game-tying basket by the Meralco import in the waning seconds of the PBA Governors Cup finals series opener.
This is Ginebra and Meralco’s third meeting in the finals. The Kings beat the Bolts in 2016 and 2017.
Ginebra now takes a 1-0 lead in a best-of-seven series that shifts to the Quezon Convention Center for Game Two on Friday in Lucena City.
With additional reports: http://www.gmanetwork.com,spin.ph
Image Source: abs-cbn-sports, PBA, INQ
