Saudi Gazette MANILA — The typhoon that blew past Manila was no match for the storm whipped up by the Barangay Ginebra Kings as they overwhelmed the Meralco Bolts, 92-81, in the pivotal Game 5 of the PBA Governors' Cup finals Sunday night. The Kings now lead the best-of-seven series at 3-2, needing just another win on Wednesday to clinch the championship that would end an 11-year title drought for the highly popular ballclub. With over 22,000 mostly Ginebra fans thundering their cheers, the Kings played near flawless basketball on both ends of the court to frustrate the Bolts. Import Justin Brownlee paced Ginebra with 29 points and 10 rebounds while Japeth Aguilar finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Joe Devance posted 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Mark Caguioa and Sol Mercado added eight markers apiece. LA Tenorio scored only seven points but collected down five rebounds and a game-high eight assists. Mercado and Scottie Thompson hit the biggest shots of the night—both three-pointers—as the clock was winding down to pour cold water on the rallying Bolts, thus ensuring Ginebra's victory. The Kings led in double-digits for most parts of the game, leading by as many as 21 points in the first half. Ginebra was way ahead 73-59 heading into the fourth quarter when the Bolts went on a 12-4 run led by Jimmy Alapag and Reynel Hugnatan. They chopped off Ginebra's lead to just five points, 82-77, with three minutes remaining. Mercado then nailed a huge three-pointer while Tenorio grabbed a key rebound before feeding Brownlee underneath, to restore Ginebra's lead in double-digits, 87-77. Meralco's Allen Durham and Chris Newsome connived to push their team to within six, 87-81. But Scottie Thompson nailed a clutch three-pointer—his only field goal for the entire night with 44 seconds left to seal the win. Durham led Meralco with 20 points, 18 rebounds and six assists while Hugnatan collected 17 markers, including three triples. Game Wednesday: Barangay Ginebra Kings vs. Meralco Bolts (Game 6 of best-of-7 finals; Ginebra leads 3-2).
