MANILA – Meralco Bolts took a 2-1 lead in the PBA Governors' Cup Finals after tripping Barangay Ginebra, 83-74, in Game 3 on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Bolts turned to their defense in the second half to take down the Gin Kings, who failed to sustain a hot offensive first half in the end.
With Justin Brownlee quickly taking over, Ginebra raced to a 27-22 first-quarter lead, while the team held Meralco to just 18 second-quarter points en route to a 48-40 halftime advantage.
The Bolts, however, shut down the Gin Kings in the final 24 minutes, holding them to just 26 points the rest of the way, 13 in each of the last two quarters, while getting their offensive rhythm in time.
Tony Bishop finished with 30 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block, while Chris Newsome added 20 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists for Meralco.
Brownlee finished with 19 markers, 15 rebounds, seven dimes, one steal, and six swats for Ginebra.
Already flirting with a quadruple-double and a 5x5 at the half, however, he was held to just six points in the second half. (PNA)
