PBA: Ginebra beats Rain or Shine again for 2-1 lead in semis

Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine players get physical during Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra rode on the big showing of Scottie Thompson to repeat over Rain or Shine, 103-98, for a 2-1 series lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Thompson finished with 25 points after knocking down five triples on top of seven rebounds, two assists and three steals as the Gin Kings pulled off back-to-back wins after squandering a 10-point deficit in a Game 1 loss.

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Justin Brownlee had 24 points, eight rebounds and nine assists while RJ Abarrientos added 17 points and five assists after opting not to wear a protective mask due to a broken nose.

Ginebra withstood an early Rain or Shine onslaught led by Andrei Caracut, an eight-point halftime deficit and late rally by the Elasto Painters before a crowd of over 13,000.

The Gin Kings for a commanding 3-1 lead on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import Jaylen Johnson and Caelan Tiongson, who finally saw action in the series after dealing with what coach Yeng Guiao described as an “explosive diarrhea,” scored 23 points each but not enough to salvage the Elasto Painters.

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Caracut cooled off after hitting all of his 15 points on five threes in the first quarter, to the delight of the fans and even Capital1 volleyball star Bella Belle, his rumored love interest.

But Ginebra would slowly take control of the game, especially in the third with Thompson leading the charge.

Thompson also had to repel a late Rain or Shine rally anchored by Tiongson, hitting a three off Adrian Nocum for a 99-91 lead with barely two minutes to go.