By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ended their 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination phase on a high note after crushing the Converge FiberXers, 115-96, last November 30, 2022.
Fresh off a convincing 122-105 win over Robert Bolick and the NorthPort Batang Pier, the Gin Kings refused to fold and will enter the import-laced conference with boosted confidence after going undefeated in their last two trips.
Resident super import Justin Brownlee paced the Gin Kings with another efficient performance of 25 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.
Despite the signature perimeter defensive schemes the FiberXers deployed on Brownlee, the experienced scoring machine still found a way and picked Converge apart in the second half.
Ginebra never lost a quarter in the second half and snowballed their way to a 59-48 scoring led by Brownlee and their balanced offensive attack.
Backstopping Brownlee is newly-acquired swingman Jamie Malonzo who continued to bring the hustle and athleticism the Gin Kings lacked during the past conference.
Malonzo dominated the shaded lane once again and contributed 17 points and eight rebounds built from a 6/11 shooting from the field.
“In the playoffs, you definitely want to step your game up. The whole conference, you try to work until you get into a rhythm and when the playoffs come, you want to be in your best shape and probably your best rhythm,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
Aside from Brownlee and Malonzo, the veteran trio of Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, and Christian Standhardinger also showed out in their last game of the regular season.
Aguilar was unstoppable in the paint and contributed 16 big points while Tenorio and Standhardinger had 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Converge slid to an 8-4 win-loss record and will head to the post-season with a disappointing 0-2 outing against the Gin Kings and the Batang Pier.
