NLEX, Ginebra gain semis

MANILA, Philippines, March 20 ------ Second seed NLEX rolled into the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals against holder Barangay Ginebra after putting a definitive end to Alaska’s emotional farewell tour, 96-80, last night at the packed Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Cameron Clark shrugged off a cut on his forehead from an elbow by Jeron Teng to bang in 24 points, including 10 in their second-quarter pullaway, as win-once NLEX succeeded after two tries and bid the Aces goodbye for good.

Coach Yeng Guiao’s charges set up an explosive semis duel with No. 6 Ginebra, which completed a stunning two-game reversal over No. 2 TNT in front of a 10,846-strong crowd, 115-95. The Road Warriors clinched their first Final Four stint since the 2018 Philippine Cup on the night Guiao celebrated his 63rd birthday.

It was not the most ideal ending for the proud Alaska franchise, which had played its final PBA game after 35 memorable years. But it certainly left a lasting legacy highlighted by 14 championships and a rare grand slam in 1996 and its values of sportsmanship and integrity as an organization.

Alaska players and officials gathered and hugged at center court while some supporters wept at ringside, amid the confetti, after their farewell outing in the PBA. Commissioner Willie Marcial thanked the franchise for all its contributions to the PBA. In the end, the commissioner pressed and sounded the final buzzer for Alaska. It was time to say goodbye.

Fired up by the good, old chants from their “Sixth Man,” the Gin Kings unleashed a late second-quarter surge and a scorching run in the third to establish separation and set the tone for the semis-clincher. “It’s really special to win with a twice-to-beat disadvantage, to find a way to do that. It’s hard, the odds are way against you. And to do that against Chot (Reyes), one of the best coaches, and such a huge opponent like TNT, it’s truly special,” said coach Tim Cone.

“Kung bubble ulit ito, baka hindi ito nangyari. Pero because of the fans, nagawa namin,” said Ginebra skipper LA Tenorio. Justin Brownlee was at his usual reliable self, delivering 29 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists as the crowd darlings scored payback and eliminated the Philippine Cup titlists from the race to Governors’ Cup glory.

Scottie Thompson, with a near triple-double line of 17-10-9, Japeth Aguilar, with 26 markers, and Tenorio, with 22 plus six boards and six dimes, joined the march of heroes for Cone, whose team returned to the Last-4 after its letdown in the last conference. Ginebra held TNT’s super rookie Mikey Williams to 17 points on a 5-of-16 clip. Williams emerged as the team’s top scorer with new import Leon Gilmore III producing only 14 points.

Source: philstar.com