Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos led Barangay Ginebra’s sustained offensive as the Gin Kings scored a 111-104 victory to move within the cusp of gaining a finals berth in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Brownlee collected 32 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals, while Abarrientos scored 31 points, spiked by four triples, while grabbing four rebounds and issuing eight assists.
The Ginebra duo proved deadly as they led the league’s most popular squad to a flying start. The Gin Kings also led by as many as 18 points en route to the grabbing a pivotal 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven semis series.
Troy Rosario chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds for Ginebra, which will try to finish off Rain or Shine in Game 6 on Sunday as action shifts to the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The win was a huge bounce back for Ginebra, which got bludgeoned, 87-75 last Wednesday that allowed Rain or Shine to tie the series at 2-2.
The Gin Kings came better prepared in Game 5, peppering the Elasto Painters with 16 threes and posted 25 assists.
Rain or Shine were led by Adrian Nocum’s 25 points, while import Jaylen Johnson added 22 and 14 rebounds.
Jhonard Clarito had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds for Rain or Shine.
