Ginebra bucks ROS’s Q4 blitz for semis edge

The Barangay stifled the Elasto Painters defensively in the first three quarters, holding them to just 41 points after 36 minutes while holding to a 20-point cushion entering the final period. (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

MANILA — Ginebra held on despite a fourth quarter barrage by Rain Or Shine to take a 75-72 win in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Saturday night.

The Barangay stifled the Elasto Painters defensively in the first three quarters, holding them to just 41 points after 36 minutes while holding to a 20-point cushion entering the final period.

However, ROS began the payoff frame with an 11-0 run, and the lead was down to nine, 61-52, with 8.26 minutes to go.

Ginebra thought it already held off ROS as the team stretched its lead to 11, 74-63, with 2.42 minutes to go.

However, the E-Painters went on another 9-0 run capped by an undergoal stab by Reggie Johnson to draw to within two, 72-74, with 9.8 seconds left.

LA Tenorio had a chance to finally ice the game for the Barangay, but he only made a split from the line with 6.8 seconds remaining, giving the E-Painters a chance to force overtime.

James Yap airballed his first try from long range, but he got another chance as Johnson grabbed the offensive rebound. Yap, however, still misfired on his follow-up as time expired.

Justin Brownlee got a sigh of relief as his 44-point explosion did not go down the drain. He made 14-of-19 from the field along with 15 rebounds, six assists, five steals, and one block for Ginebra, which can close out the series on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Johnson struggled all game long, only making 13 markers on 5-of-19 shooting for ROS, although he also had 22 rebounds and four assists.