August 30, 2017

Streaking Ginebra clobbers Phoenix for fifth straight win, share of lead

THE defending champion is now the hottest team in the PBA Governors Cup.

Barangay Ginebra stretched the woes of Phoenix with a 105-92 drubbing, extending its winning streak to five games Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

A huge third quarter tear was all the Kings needed to take the fight out a Fuel Masters team that went down with its seventh straight loss this conference.

Joe Devance and import Justin Brownlee teamed up during that telling Ginebra run, where it outscored Phoenix, 32-18. Protecting just a three-point lead at the half, the Kings suddenly zoomed to an 85-68 lead by the time the period was over.

"I think that's pretty much the story of the game, that third quarter right there," admitted coach Tim Cone after the match

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"That's been our kind of an 'emo' so far this conference, we played well in the third quarter."

Brownlee had seven of his team-high 24 points during that breakaway third quarter, while Devance scored nine of his 14 to help the reigning champions tie the Meralco Bolts on top of the standings at 5-1.

Japeth Aguilar also had a solid outing of 19 points - 15 in the first half - and 13 rebounds for the Kings, who tied their longest winning streak of five under Cone.

The Kings clobbered the Fuel Masters under the boards, 76-47, with Brownlee leading with way with 17, Greg Slaughter with 11 and Devance with seven.

"I think we overwhelmed them with our size, we did a pretty good job of protecting the rim against Brandon Brown," said Cone.

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"He (Brown) was trying to get to the rim, he's vicious going to the rim and he goes to the rim really hard and he's meeting Japeth and Greg there all the time."

Brown still got his numbers, albeit on a limited basis as he finished with 26 points and 18 rebounds for Phoenix, which now holds a 2-7 record.

Ginebra enjoyed lead of as much as 100-78 late in the fourth period to finally beat Phoenix for the first time in three meetings this season. (JR)