By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Jeremiah Gray just had his best game for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel since getting drafted in the PBA last year.
Facing an inconsistent debut when he was hobbled by several recurring injuries, the former Alab Pilipinas gunner showed out against the NLEX Road Warriors and steered Ginebra to a 114-111 comeback victory in the ongoing Governor’s Cup last February 8, 2023.
The combo guard highlighted his performance for the ages with three-straight bombs from downtown with only 1:50 remaining in the game.
Down by seven points, 108-101, Gray kicked off his clutch shooting with a three-pointer from the right corner that trimmed Ginebra’s deficit to just four points, 108-104.
After a completed stop from the other end, Ginebra kept their offense simple and found Gray again for another trey that pulled them to within a point, 108-107.
Ginebra looked to be in deep trouble when NLEX’s new import Wayne Selden Jr. had an open layup in the middle of the shaded lane but fortunately, his shot hit the back of the rim which gave the Gin Kings the chance to take the lead.
It was a series of frustrating possessions for the Road Warriors after Selden Jr. fouled Justin Brownlee who collected the board with still 51 seconds left in the clock.
Selden Jr.’s foul put them into the foul limit which was capitalized by Brownlee who buried all two shots from the charity stripe.
With Ginebra clinging to a 109-108 lead, Kevin Alas was near to spoiling Ginebra’s efforts after converting a foul-counted play off a twisting layup.
However, Gray answered the call when Ginebra needed him the most and capped off his ninth point in the crucial stretch with the biggest three-pointer of the game.
Brownlee hoisted an open three-pointer from the left corner with 27 seconds remaining in the game but his shot bounced strong. Ginebra then worked relentlessly to grab the offensive rebound, cleared the ball to Scottie Thompson at the top of the key, and rifled a pass to Gray who swished the go-ahead trey, 112-111.
The Road Warriors had the chance to equalize the ball game at 114-all after Brownlee converted both of his free throws but Selden Jr.’s one-legged three-point shot missed badly from the left elbow.
Gray finished his scintillating performance with 19 big points including nine of Ginebra’s 13 points in the last 1:50 of the game.
“Miah is having a coming-out party this conference. Last game, I thought he was brilliant, and tonight he was even more brilliant. So, he’s starting to show what he can do,” said Ginebra’s head coach Tim Cone.
Brownlee picked up where he left off the last conference and top-scored the Gin Kings with 44 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists.
Selden Jr. had an incredible debut for the Road Warriors after finishing the nip-and-tuck affair with 43 points but admitted that he got tired in the last three minutes of the game.
