By JONAS TERRADO
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Justin Brownlee, left, rejects a shot by NorthPort’s Christian Standhardinger in Sunday night’s PBA Governors’ Cup. (PBA Images)
NorthPort overcame Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 98-96 Sunday night to clinch a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Michael Qualls produced 30 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks while Christian Standhardinger scored nine of his 17 points in the fourth to give the Batang Pier a 5-6 record and a quarters berth at the end of the eliminations.
The Batang Pier had to weather a late Ginebra fightback to avoid an early exit in the season-ending conference.
A loss would have ended coach Pido Jarencio and NorthPort’s season due to an inferior quotient.
The result meant an early exit for Rain or Shine, which earlier in the day stunned Meralco 83-81.
NorthPort’s entry meant that the last quarters berth will be disputed by Alaska and Columbian.
Alaska, with a 4-6 record, needs a win over NLEX on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City to make the quarters. Otherwise, the Aces will take on the 4-7 Dyip in a playoff on Friday.
Justin Brownlee fired 31 points while Stanley Pringle faced his former team for the first time and scored 18 points.
But Ginebra ended the elims at 7-4, though already assured of the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.
Ginebra will finish either third or fourth depending on the outcome of Wednesday’s match between TNT KaTropa and San Miguel Beer.
Source: Manila Bulletin
Xtra Sports ph 