BARANGAY Ginebra reminded everyone it still is the defending PBA Commissioner's Cup champion, and Justine Brownlee still the reigning Best Import of the conference.
The Kings brought down the San Miguel Beermen in overtime, 110-107, behind the tireless effort of Brownlee on both ends of the floor to help the reigning champion end a two-game skid Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Brownlee played the entire 53 minutes of the nip and tuck affair on Father's Day, hitting a big three-pointer in the extra period that allowed the Kings to finally take control, 107-102.
The prolific import finished with a game-high 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in Ginebra's third win in six outings.
"Just two heavyweights going at it," said coach Tim Cone in the post-game interview.
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"Took an extra round on who could win this one. I like the game because we played within character. We played in the character that we want to play."
The Barangay Ginebra coach admitted he apologized to Brownlee before the start of the overtime period for not giving him even a minute of relief.
Cone said the import didn't mind it.
"That just goes to show how much we wanted this win, how much we needed it. He played 53 minutes and we needed every second that he was on the floor to win this game," added the Ginebra coach.
LA Tenorio added 16 points even as Scottie Thompson and Greg Slaughter had 13 each for the Kings. Slaughter also grabbed 18 rebounds, while Thompson with 11.
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Regulation ended at 99-all after import Charles Rhodes rallied the Beermen from a four-point deficit. He had the chance to give San Miguel the lead with 62 seconds left but missed a bonus free throw to forge the overtime play.
Rhodes then fouled out early in overtime, leaving the Beermen to rely on their all-Filipino crew.
They almost pulled this one off after a Lassiter steal with 11 seconds left opened the door for a possible game-winning basket and the Kings protecting a slim 109-107 lead.
But Chris Ross, who finished with a triple-double of 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists missed a long three-pointer with plenty of time left as the Beermen suffered a third loss in four games so far in the conference.
Rhodes paced San Miguel with 34 points and 12 rebounds, Alex Cabagnot with 21, while Lassiter had 15 after going 5-of-11 from three-point range.
Five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo had a quiet 13 points and 19 rebounds for the Beermen.
The scores:
Ginebra (110) - Brownlee 39, Tenorio 16, Slaughter 13, Thompson 13, Mercado 12, Aguilar 9, Ferrer 5, Devance 3.
San Miguel (107) - Rhodes 34, Cabagnot 21, Lassiter 15, Fajardo 13, Ross 11, Standhardinger 10, Pessumal 3, Rosser 0, Santos 0.
Quarterscores: 15-26; 48-50; 80-77; 99-99 (reg); 110-107.
