By Jonas Terrado
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is back as kings of the PBA Governors’ Cup after lording over Meralco for the third time 105-93 before a jubilant crowd of 15,146 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua and members of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel lift the PBA Governors’ Cup trophy after beating Meralco 105-93 at the Mall of Asia Arena, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio)
Japeth Aguilar capped off his stellar performance with 25 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as Ginebra overcame 14-point deficit by wearing down the Bolts late in the second quarter and throughout the second half to claim the series 4-1.
Aguilar was unanimously named as the PBA Press Corps-Honda Finals Most Valuable Player with averages of 17.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks, giving Ginebra its fourth title under coach Tim Cone and 12th overall for the 40-year-old franchise.
It was also Cone’s 22nd championship, enhancing his status as the winningest coach in PBA history. He also tied Robert Jaworski for most titles by a Ginebra with the victory.
Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar celebrates after scoring a dunk against Meralco’s Bong Quinto in Game 5 of the the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio)
Justin Brownlee had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Stanley Pringle added 17 points, four rebounds and eight assists and Scottie Thompson 14 points, six rebounds and nine assists to backstop Aguilar’s big showing.
The win was Ginebra’s latest mastery over a Meralco that entered the series hoping to finally end its mastery.
But an injured left knee sustained by Bolts center Raymond Almazan totally changed the complexion of the series, allowing the Kings to produce the most lopsided result of the trilogy.
Best Import Allen Durham tried to extend the series to a sixth game despite missing Almazan, posting 29 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists.
But Durham was left frustrated by Ginebra’s tight defending, thus resulting in another heartbreak finish.
Ginebra’s Stanley Pringle drives past Meralco’s Anjo Caram during Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena, January 17, 2020 (Rio Deluvio)
Durham was bridesmaid anew as his bid to finally lead Meralco to a historic championship ended in another disappointment.
Meralco did led 39-25 in the second quarter but was force to work for its shots while allowing Ginebra to trim the margin to 46-40 at the half.
Then, Ginebra unleashed another third quarter assault just like it did in the past four games to eventually take the lead.
Meralco did come and tie the score at 77-all on a layup by Baser Amer with 8:46 remaining in the fourth.
But Brownlee scored five straight points before Pringle and Aguilar joined the fray to pull away from the fading Bolts.
The scores:
GINEBRA 105 — Aguilar 25, Brownlee 24, Pringle 17, Thompson 14, Tenorio 12, Mariano 6, Devance 3, Dela Cruz 2, Slaughter 2, Dillinger 0.
MERALCO 93 — Durham 29, Amer 17, Newsome 13, Hodge 10, Quinto 9, Maliksi 9, Faundo 2, Pinto 2, Caram 2, Salva 0.
Quarters: 19-26; 40-46; 70-64; 105-93.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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