Barangay Ginebra leaned on a clutch late-game takeover from Justin Brownlee and a steady offensive lift from RJ Abarrientos to secure a 99-93 win over Converge on Sunday, March 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Gin Kings bounced back from their previous loss and improved to 2-1 in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

Ginebra had to dig deep after falling behind early, with Converge dictating the tempo and even holding a seven-point advantage at halftime. Instead of unraveling, the Gin Kings stayed within striking distance and waited for the right moment to shift the momentum.

Abarrientos carries load as Ginebra stays afloat

RJ Abarrientos took charge for Ginebra through the first three quarters, erupting for 32 points to keep the team in the fight. His aggressive scoring prevented Converge from building a bigger cushion and ensured the game remained within reach entering the final period.

While Abarrientos delivered early, Brownlee struggled to find his rhythm, finishing the first half with just 11 points on 5-of-20 shooting. Despite the inefficient start, Ginebra continued to trust its import, knowing his ability to deliver in crucial moments.

Brownlee takes over late to seal win

Brownlee came alive in the second half, pouring in 21 points over the final two quarters and asserting control when the game tightened. His biggest play came in the closing seconds, capitalizing on a Converge inbound error before driving past Alec Stockton and finishing a tough looper over Kylor Kelley to push Ginebra ahead, 97-93.

On the defensive end, Brownlee followed it up with a crucial contest that forced Mikey Williams into a missed three-point attempt, effectively sealing the win. His all-around impact in the closing stretch turned the tide and ensured there would be no repeat of his previous scoring effort going to waste.

Troy Rosario stepped up in the absence of Japeth Aguilar, delivering a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds while providing stability inside. His effort complemented Ginebra’s backcourt and import production in a tightly contested matchup.

Converge, which dropped to 1-4, got 20 points from Justine Baltazar, along with 16 from Mikey Williams and 15 from Mike Garcia. Kylor Kelley added 13 points and 15 rebounds on a perfect shooting night, but the FiberXers could not sustain their early momentum as Ginebra executed better down the stretch.