The Gin Kings put up a good start but had to weather multiple comeback attempts by an eliminated Floodbuster side that had nothing to lose, before pulling off their fourth straight victory to end the eliminations with a 9-2 win-loss record.
Justin Brownlee showed the way with 22 points, 10 boards, and five assists for the Gin Kings, who did enough to snap the Floodbuster’s two-game win streak as their victims wound up with just three wins overall in 11 games.
EVENTS: 2017 PBA COMMISSIONERS CUP
The result also gifted idle Phoenix an outright playoff berth as the seventh seed, although in an unenviable matchup against twice-to-beat San Miguel Beer.
After establishing a 17-point lead early in the third quarter, the Gin Kings took the foot off the gas pedal as no local breached the 30-minute barrier, with Japeth Aguilar seeing the most action at 29 minutes, enough time to register 14 points, nine boards, and two assists.
The subs thus saw extended playing time as Mark Caguioa led the bench mob with 13 points in 19 minutes.
Keith Wright tallied 21 points and 22 boards that went for naught for the Floodbuster in the presence of listed coach Manny Pacquiao.
The Final Scoreboard Result:
GINEBRA 94 – Brownlee 22, Aguilar 14, Cagiuoa 13, Mercado 9, Tenorio 8, Thompson 8, Devance 5, Ellis 4, Taha 2, Marcelo 2, Jamito 2, Cruz 2, Mariano 2, Ferrer 1
MAHINDRA 80 – Wright 21, Khobuntin 16, Deutchman 13, Revilla 6, Pacquiao 6, Teng 5, Caperal 3, Camson 3, Celda 3, Yee 2, Salva 2, Ballesteros 0, Corpuz 0, Nimes 0, Paniamogan 0
Quarterscores: 26-16, 47-33, 68-59, 94-80