The Gin Kings saw the Road Warriors’ improvement as both teams engaged each other in a nip-and-tuck battle in the first half before Ginebra broke the game wide open in the third quarter where it outscored NLEX, 36-23.
Joe Devance emerged as the catalyst of the blowout, putting up his best offensive game in a Ginebra uniform with 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting in less than 30 minutes of play, while Justin Brownlee stuffed the stats sheet as usual with 22 points, 13 boards, six assists, four blocks, and two steals.
The Gin Kings handed the Road Warriors their first loss in five games, snapping a six-game win streak dating back to last conference that had been the franchise’s longest win run.
Ginebra vs NLEX
EVENTS: 2017 PBA GOVERNORS CUP
A Mark Caguioa basket gave the Gin Kings their biggest lead at 22, 100-78, with over seven minutes left to play as they sustained the sizeable cushion and refused to let the Road Warriors pull closer than 13 points in the final frame.
Aaron Fuller led the Road Warriors with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and two assists in 34 minutes that went for naught.
The Final Scoreboard Result:
GINEBRA 110 - Devance 23, Brownlee 22, Tenorio 17, Aguilar 10, Slaughter 10, Caguioa 8, Taha 6, Thompson 5, Ferrer 3, Cruz 3, Ellis 3, Marcelo 0, Mariano 0.
NLEX 97 - Fuller 20, Quinahan 12, Fonacier 11, Alas 10, Al-Hussaini 10, Mallari 10, Lastimosa 9, Tiongson 6, Rios 4, J. Villanueva 3, Monfort 2, Taulava 0, Soyud 0, Baracael 0.
Quarters: 26-24, 50-48, 86-71, 110-97.