Jamie Malonzo led the Ginebra Gin Kings in their easy win over the NorthPort Batang Pier in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
In what looked more like a tune-up than a playoff game, Ginebra handily beat NorthPort once again in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Sunday, March 2.
The Gin Kings broke the game wide open in the second period on their way to another dominant win, 127-100, that put them at the threshold of the championship stage with their commanding 3-0 advantage in the series.
That’s all thanks to Jamie Malonzo, who dropped 16 of his 25 points in the said quarter where they outgunned the Batang Pier, 34-19.
After the crowd darlings took a 64-40 lead at halftime, there was simply no stopping them until the final buzzer.
Slowly getting back into tip-top form after a calf injury sidelined him for nine months, Malonzo also ended up with eight rebounds and an assist.
“Coach said [I'm at] 85 percent. So, hopefully, somewhere around there,” Malonzo said with a smile when asked if he was close to being at full strength after returning from injury early January.
“Trying to get to 90 soon. Just keep trying to use these games to get as close as I can to get back to my normal self, for sure.”
Jamie Malonzo topscores for the Ginebra Gin Kings in their Game 3 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Justine Brownlee flirted with a triple-double with his 22 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
More importantly, the beloved import was able to get a much-needed respite in the match with Ginebra in control most of the way.
Japeth Aguilar had 17 points and seven rebounds, while Scottie Thompson added 15 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Kadeem Jack scored a game-high 32 points but just could not help the Batang Pier make a dent. He also had three rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.
Arvin Tolentino finished with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block
The Gin Kings can book a return trip to the Finals with a win in Game 4 on Wednesday, March 5.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 127 – Malonzo 25, Brownlee 22, J.Aguilar 17, Thompson 15, Abarrientos 10, Rosario 10, Ahanmisi 6, Holt 5, Pessumal 4, Gray 4, R.Aguilar 3, Adamos 2, Mariano 2, Tenorio 2, Cu 0, Pinto 0.
NORTHPORT 100 – Jack 32, Tolentino 15, Taha 11, Yu 6, Miranda 6, Bulanadi 6, Munzon 5, Cuntapay 5, Flores 4, Nelle 3, Navarro 3, Tratter 2, Onwubere 2.
Quarterscores: 30-21, 64-40, 99-68, 127-100