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Ginebra Stays King Of The Rivalry; Ousts Meralco To Secure Semis Spot
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Barangay Ginebra just reminded everyone why they’re still the kings of their long-standing rivalry with Meralco. In a do-or-die showdown on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, the Kings delivered when it mattered most, securing a hard-fought 94-87 win to punch their ticket to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
With this victory, Ginebra joins NorthPort, TNT, and Rain or Shine in the Final Four, marking their sixth straight conference semis appearance. Now, they set their sights on the finals, facing top-seeded NorthPort in a best-of-seven series that kicks off on Feb. 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—right after Gilas Pilipinas wraps up its FIBA Asia Cup qualifying campaign.
Clutch Kings Take Over
It was a tight contest for most of the game, but Ginebra flipped the switch late, unleashing an 8-0 knockout run that put them up 88-75 with just under two minutes left. RJ Abarrientos drilled a crucial three, Justin Brownlee converted a three-point play, and Japeth Aguilar sealed the deal with a highlight-reel dunk off a Brownlee dime. Just like that, Meralco’s hopes were crushed.
The Bolts had their moments, even threatening to run away early. But Ginebra’s resilience showed, especially in the second quarter, where they erased a double-digit deficit with a 10-0 blitz to close the half down by just one, 38-37. From there, it was all grit and grind as the Kings clawed their way to another shot at the championship.
Brownlee Does Brownlee Things
As always, Justin Brownlee was the hero Ginebra needed. He outclassed Meralco’s Akil Mitchell with a near triple-double performance—25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Mitchell, meanwhile, struggled mightily, finishing with just eight points.
Abarrientos, despite dealing with controversy surrounding alleged death threats after Game Two, stepped up big-time, dropping 16 points, including the clutch three that fueled their finishing kick. Stephen Holt and Troy Rosario also chipped in, scoring 17 and 12, respectively.
On the other side, Chris Newsome did everything he could for Meralco, leading his squad with 22 points. However, the Bolts also had to deal with the absence of their active consultant Nenad Vucinic, who was ejected late in the fourth quarter.
Up Next: Semis Battle vs. NorthPort
With Meralco now out of the picture, Ginebra turns its focus to NorthPort in the semifinals. Coach Tim Cone’s squad is aiming for back-to-back finals appearances in Season 49, and if history has taught us anything, it’s that the Kings know how to win when it matters most.
Will Ginebra’s playoff magic continue, or will NorthPort play spoiler? We’ll find out when the semis tip-off after Gilas Pilipinas’ international campaign.
With this victory, Ginebra joins NorthPort, TNT, and Rain or Shine in the Final Four, marking their sixth straight conference semis appearance. Now, they set their sights on the finals, facing top-seeded NorthPort in a best-of-seven series that kicks off on Feb. 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—right after Gilas Pilipinas wraps up its FIBA Asia Cup qualifying campaign.
Clutch Kings Take Over
It was a tight contest for most of the game, but Ginebra flipped the switch late, unleashing an 8-0 knockout run that put them up 88-75 with just under two minutes left. RJ Abarrientos drilled a crucial three, Justin Brownlee converted a three-point play, and Japeth Aguilar sealed the deal with a highlight-reel dunk off a Brownlee dime. Just like that, Meralco’s hopes were crushed.
The Bolts had their moments, even threatening to run away early. But Ginebra’s resilience showed, especially in the second quarter, where they erased a double-digit deficit with a 10-0 blitz to close the half down by just one, 38-37. From there, it was all grit and grind as the Kings clawed their way to another shot at the championship.
Brownlee Does Brownlee Things
As always, Justin Brownlee was the hero Ginebra needed. He outclassed Meralco’s Akil Mitchell with a near triple-double performance—25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Mitchell, meanwhile, struggled mightily, finishing with just eight points.
Abarrientos, despite dealing with controversy surrounding alleged death threats after Game Two, stepped up big-time, dropping 16 points, including the clutch three that fueled their finishing kick. Stephen Holt and Troy Rosario also chipped in, scoring 17 and 12, respectively.
On the other side, Chris Newsome did everything he could for Meralco, leading his squad with 22 points. However, the Bolts also had to deal with the absence of their active consultant Nenad Vucinic, who was ejected late in the fourth quarter.
Up Next: Semis Battle vs. NorthPort
With Meralco now out of the picture, Ginebra turns its focus to NorthPort in the semifinals. Coach Tim Cone’s squad is aiming for back-to-back finals appearances in Season 49, and if history has taught us anything, it’s that the Kings know how to win when it matters most.
Will Ginebra’s playoff magic continue, or will NorthPort play spoiler? We’ll find out when the semis tip-off after Gilas Pilipinas’ international campaign.
Feb 10, 2025
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