Barangay Ginebra San Miguel prevailed in their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal opener against the Meralco Bolts.
Joe Devance flashed his signature big, infectious smile as he posed for a picture with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fans sitting courtside at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Those Ginebra supporters waited more than two years to see him don the Gin Kings jersey again. He didn’t disappoint.
Just ask coach Tim Cone.
“I thought he was fantastic for us. I thought that he came in and played some really super valuable minutes at times when, you know, we're trying to manage Japeth's (Aguilar) minutes, and that's been our issue,” said Cone after the 99-92 win over Meralco in their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal opener on Thursday, September 26.
Though still groping for form, Devance made one field goal in six minutes and 19 seconds of play. And that was more than enough for the Gin Kings, who recently lost young big Isaac Go to a knee injury.
His return benefits Aguilar.
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“Once Isaac went down, we didn't have anybody, really, to help us manage his minutes. We're very conscious of overplaying him, of getting him too tired, and he's a freak of nature being able to do the stuff he does at his age,” said Cone of Aguilar.
He added: “So Joe's ability to come in and play those six minutes, that's six minutes Japeth doesn't have to play.”
But while everyone was excited to see Devance play again, the night definitely belonged to Justin Brownlee.
Brownlee finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the Gin Kings, who broke free only in the final minutes.
He led a late 11-2 run that gave the Gin Kings a 95-85 lead in the 2:50 mark before his two free throws with 27.2 ticks left to play completely shut the door on the Bolts.
[ALSO READ | PBA: Justin Brownlee posts double-double as Ginebra takes Game 1 of QF opener vs Meralco]
“They’re a tough team. They challenge you throughout the whole game especially on the defensive end,” said Brownlee of their playoff rivals.
Meanwhile, Cliff Hodge paced Meralco with 23 points and five boards, while Chris Newsome had 20 markers.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 99 – Brownlee 29, Thompson 19, Holt 14, J.Aguilar 10, Cu 9, Abarrientos 8, Ahanmisi 8, Devance 2, R.Aguilar 0.
MERALCO 92 – Hodge 23, Newsome 20, Durham 17, Banchero 11, Quinto 10, Caram 6, Almazan 5, Rios 0, Mendoza 0, Bates 0, Cansino 0, Jose 0.
Quarterscores: 28-24, 53-43, 73-71, 99-92