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| Photo courtesy of PBA Media |
In a high-stakes showdown at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on February 9, 2025, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel triumphed over the Meralco Bolts with a final score of 94-87, securing their place in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals.
The game was marked by Ginebra's resilience, as they overcame an early 13-point deficit. Justin Brownlee led the charge with a near triple-double performance, tallying 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Stephen Holt contributed 17 points, while rookie RJ Abarrientos provided a significant boost off the bench, scoring 16 points, including crucial baskets in the final quarter.
Meralco started strong, building a 32-19 lead early in the second quarter. However, Ginebra's defense tightened, and their offense found rhythm, allowing them to close the gap and eventually take control. A pivotal moment occurred in the fourth quarter when Meralco's active consultant, Nenad Vucinic, was ejected after receiving a second technical foul, which shifted the momentum in Ginebra's favor.
Chris Newsome was the standout for the Bolts, leading all scorers with 22 points before fouling out with three minutes remaining. Despite efforts from Bong Quinto and Cliff Hodge, Meralco couldn't regain the lead in the closing minutes.
With this victory, Ginebra advances to face the top-seeded NorthPort Batang Pier in the semifinals. The series is set to commence later this month, following a league break for Gilas Pilipinas' participation in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
This win also extends Ginebra's dominance over Meralco in playoff matchups, highlighting the ongoing rivalry between the two franchises.
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