Manila, Philippines – October 14, 2016, Game 4 between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco Bolts and its anual Leo Awards Night.
Before the Game started Rookie of the year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Year was announced that all are waiting for but with no doubt it goes to Chris Newsome and June Mar Fajardo for Rookie of the Year and MVP respectively.
Barangay Ginebra escaped for a possible (3-1) down in Governor’s Cup Final after down by 16pts in first 3 quarters. But former MVP (2009) and one of fast and furious in PBA (Helterbrand) delivered and made 3 triples in the final period.
Photo credit: pba.inquirer
The game was started slow of both teams, the score after the first period is just only (20-13) in favor of Barangay, that was the lowest output of both teams in the series to begin the first period.
Barangay Ginebra energized on the second quarter as they lead most by the 2 digits after Sol Mercado hits a pair of triple (20-32). Ginebra got their biggest lead with 16pts (26-42) with 3:32 minutes to play in the second quarter, but that was answered by Jonathan Uyluan on the next position (29-42). Allen Durham, who had 10pts in the 2 periods had no impact yet on Meralco. Ginebra ended with 2 digits lead going into the break (35-46).
Meralco Bolts went a big run in the third with more involvement of the team they cut the lead with a 1pt (11-0) run half way to the third with (53-54). Bolts regain the lead after Caram converted a lay-up plus bonus throw (56-54) and it was a followed by a slam dunk of the rookie of the year award (Chris Newsome) to lead by 4 (58-54) with 5:06 to play. Bolts continue their run (65-56) that forced Tim Cone to burn his 3rd time out of the quarter with 3:46 to play.
The third quarter ended with a putback slam of Cliff Hodge after a missed of Caram, Bolts who behind by 16pts late in the second quarter is now leading by 16pts (74-58) to end the third period, as they outscored Barangay with (39-12) lead by Allen Durham who scored 19pts on the third.
With no explosion of their import (Justin Brownlee) Tim Cone started the Fast and the Furious combination in the final period. Barangay find a rhythm with that combination. The birthday boy (Helterbrand) started the spark of the Barangay as he hit 2 triples and a field goal (74-72) with 8:10 minutes to play and Aguilar tied the game on the next position (74-74) 7:32 minutes to play. Bolts scoreless in more than 4 minutes of play in the 4th until Allen Durham got fouled and hit the 2 free throws to lead (76-74) but Caguiao’s conversion and the 3rd triple of Helterbrand on the next position regain Ginebra the lead (79-76).
Chris Newsome made a lay-up followed by a triple of Hugnatan (85-83), still Ginebra leads with 2:38 minutes to play, Devance split his free throws on the next position after he fouled to lead by 3 (86-83) with 1:30 left. Allen Durham converted a basket on the other end plus a bonus free throw to tie (86-86).
Barangay who nearly had 24 seconds shot clock violation save by Devance with a turnaround jumper on Tenorio’s assist (88-86) with 25.7s left. Durham misses a contested 3point attempt on the next position, that force to Foul Tenorio with 9.5s left, Tenorio both misses the 2 free throws. Bolts burn their time out and had time to regroup to extend the game or win, but Chris Newsome did not pass the ball after he received and went a contested shot then miss.
Justin Brownlee who scored 42 pts in game 3 loss, got his lowest production with 10pts in Ginebra’s win.
Game 5 of the series will be on Sunday, October 16, 2016.
Scores:
Ginebra 88 – Aguilar 19, Tenorio 12, Helterbrand 11, Mercado 10, Brownlee 10, Devance 7, Cruz 7, Thompson 4, Marcelo 0.
Meralco 86 – Durham 34, Newsome 15, Al-Hussaini 8, Caram 8, Hodge 6, Hugnatan 5, Nabong 4, Uyloan 3, Amer 3, Alapag 0, Faundo 0, Guevarra 0.
Quarter Scores: 20-13, 46-35, 58-74, 88-86
Disclaimer: The view and opinions expressed in this blog post are that of the author and do not in any way represents the agency or department he/she currently belongs to. Further, this information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any specific provider, service or offering.