Manila, Philippines – October 19, 2016, Game 6 of the Governor’s cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco Bolts.
Ginebra brings back title after 8 years long drought and celebrate with mostly Ginebra fans in a 22,528 gate attendance of Smart Araneta Coliseum on their game 6 of the final.
This is the 19 PBA titles of coach Tim Cone, the most title in PBA history. This is also the 5th PBA champion of the Fast and the Furious combination (Helterbrand and Caguaio) in Barangay Ginebra uniform.
Meralco Bolts who started their offense early to lead the game as much 12pts (16-4) until Tenorio made his field goals to cut the led to but answered by Chris Newsome on the next position (18-6). Brownlee and Caguiao went (7-0) run to cut the led to 5 (18-13). But Meralco Bolts energized early to win the first period in (27-18).
Bolts continue to run in the second period as they cap the biggest led with 15pts (33-18). Ginebra who went (7-0) run to cut just 8pts (33-25), but Bolts had answered whenever Ginebra has run. Still Meralco led with 13pts to end the second quarter (45-32).
Photo credit: PBA Images
But Ginebra is more energized than Bolts in the third period, Tenorio, who had his 14pts on this period cut the led (60-57) with more than 2 minutes of play. Ginebra tied the game (62-62) and had their first led under a minute to go (65-64) but Hodge got fouled on the other end to make and convert 2 free throws and regain the advantage to end the third period (66-65).
Bolts extend the led to 5 early in the final period (70-65) but veteran Tenorio continues his dominance, he again hit a triple with 9minutes to go (70-68). Both teams have a series of exchange basket in the period as they tied 6 times 5 on this period alone, second deadlock is about (70-70) a piece, then (79-79) after a triple by Scottie Thompson, but answered by Chris Newsome with a big 3 (82-79), and Aguilar answered with a dunk after picking offensive rebound (82-81).
Their 4th deadlock of the game (84-84) after Brownlee and regain the lead (86-84) with 2:20 minutes to play. Alapag tied the game again with (86-86) after he makes his 2 free throws with 1:29 minute. Aguilar made a turnover on the next position that force Tenorio to foul Hodge lay-up, Bolts who now led (88-86) with 35.8 seconds. But Justin Brownlee nailed a fade away jumper and (88-88) with 27.3 seconds left their 5th deadlock of the game period and 6 overall.
The bolts had chances to win the game after a good bounce pass of Hodge to Allen Durham, but Durhan missed the lay-up to a possible change in the game. With 5.5 seconds left coach Tim Cone burns his time out and made a play to their import (Justin Brownlee) to take the last shot.
Justin Brownlee took his heroic shot in a game winning 3 pointer to seal the victory of Barangay Ginebra (91-88). He finished with 31 points along with his 9 boards.
But Durham who had average 25.33 in their losses finished with 15 point only.
L.A Tenorio who started the spark of Barangay in the third quarter finished with 25points, 5boards and 6 assists in Game 6.
Rookie of the year Chris Newsome of Meralco Bolts finished with 19pts.
This is also the 7th PBA championship of Joe Devance together with the winningest coach in PBA (Tim Cone) from Alaska Aces, Purefoods/Bmeg and now from Barangay Ginebra.
LA Tenorio was named Finals MVP with his 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the series.
Ginebra (91): Brownlee 31, Tenorio 25, Thompson 10, Aguilar 7, Caguioa 6, Helterbrand 5, Ellis 4, Marcelo 3, Cruz 0, Devance 0, Mercado 0.
Meralco (88): Newsome 19, Durham 15, Hugnatan 12, Alapag 8, Faundo 8, Uyloan 7, Amer 6, Hodge 6, Nabong 4, Caram 3.
Quarter Scores: 18-27, 32-45, 65-66, 91-88.
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