By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Meralco Bolts put on a second-half offensive show that helped them come back from 13 points down and pulled away with a win against the Barangay Ginebra during Game 3 of the PBA Governor’s Cup finals, 83-74.
It was all Ginebra in the first half as the trio of Justin Brownlee, LA Tenorio, and Scottie Thompson quickly got into their groove and sparked their team’s offensive avalanche in the second quarter that established their double-digit lead on Meralco early in the game.
Ginebra’s game plan was identical to their romping Game 2 victory when they relied on their size advantage and pounded their points inside the shaded lane.
In the first two quarters, Christian Standhardinger dominated down the block and converted almost every drop pass made by Tenorio while Brownlee attacked the rim at will during isolation situations in the wings.
However, Meralco’s adjustments paid off quickly in the third quarter when they opted to mix and insert some of their veterans including big man Reynel Hugnatan which changed the complexion of the whole game.
From down 13 points in the first half, Meralco’s balanced attack spearheaded a massive comeback and only needed five minutes to regain the lead with seven minutes left in the third period, 54-53.
Bolts’ import Tony Bishop then took over the game and shot the lights out against the tough Ginebra defense that got penetrated several times in the fourth quarter.
Bishop finished the game with 30 points, 16 rebounds, and two steals while team captain Chris Newsome chipped in 20 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Despite a hot first half, Brownlee went cold in the second half and was held to his lowest scoring output of the entire season with only 19 points.
Ginebra will look to equalize the series at two wins apiece as Game 4 of the PBA finals is scheduled tomorrow, Wednesday, at 6:00 PM.
