Never-say-die Ginebra draws from crowd energy in rousing comeback win over Bay Area for 2-1 series lead

A misfiring Barangay Ginebra found a way to manage its markers from behind and clinch Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals amid a great atmosphere on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“We’re just looking for a spark,” coach Tim Cone said as the Gin Kings came to life with a surprising flurry that beat the Bay Area Dragons, 89-82, for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The possibility to start the calendar year on the right note is bleak because the Ginebra offense sputtered for 44 minutes and starred in a 79-72 deficit until Cone’s main weapon came to life.

Justin Brownlee made a pair of important shots, Scottie Thompson putback broke the 79-all tie with less than 90 seconds to go, then met Jamie Malonzo for a three-point dagger that made it a five-point advantage.

“Justin got on his bike and Scottie went crazy and got some unbelievable rebounds and we rolled. The crowd just kept feeding and feeding,” Cone said.

Most of the 15,004 fans cheered after Malonzo’s goal made the score 84-79 with 50.4 seconds left as the arena was filled with familiar rock songs like Orange and Lemons’ “Pinoy Ako” and Bamboo’s “Noypi,” songs they usually play. during home matches of the national team or multisport events held on the home ground.

“I experienced it all the time when I played against Ginebra. And that’s how it is, that Ginebra is always terrible,” said Cone. “And the atmosphere is difficult. You feel like the crowd is against you, the referee is against you.

Virtual determinants

“And I experienced it for [many] year. Being on the other side, and feeling that energy and knowing that it’s for you instead of against you, I’m happy to be a part of it,” added Cone, whose Gin Kings won two because it gave them a reason to celebrate again. .

Game 4 is set for Friday at the same venue in what could be a virtual decider of the series pitting the country’s most popular team against the visitors from Hong Kong.

A subplot to the 5:45 p.m. meeting was an import switch for Bay Area after Andrew Nicholson hurt his left leg late in the fourth quarter.

Nicholson left the field in a wheelchair, and the injury raised the prospect of Bay Area coach Brian Goorjian possibly tapping Myles Powell again.

not lost

Powell, who is unbeaten in eight appearances, could return under an arrangement the Dragons made with the league when they decided to participate as guest participants in the midseason conference.

The failure of the top-ranked big man doubled down on the Dragons after spending more series after the New Year’s break at the top, with 14 being their biggest lead.

Glen Yang and Kobey Lam were the ones who stepped up for Bay Area with playing mostly in the offensive end, but they and the rest of the team succumbed to Ginebra’s rally in the dying minutes.

Brownlee’s 34 points, despite shooting a poor nine-of-24, tops Ginebra on the stat sheet while Thompson has 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

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