By Jay R. Gotera
MANILA — The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings razed a 16-point deficit at the start of the final quarter to nip the Meralco Bolts, 88-86, in a thrilling down-the-wire Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals Friday night.
The win leveled the best-of-seven series at 2-2 with Game 5 tentatively set for Sunday, Oct. 16, if weather permits. PBA officials said they could postpone the game if an approaching storm makes it difficult for fans to watch the game at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Japeth Aguilar was the main man for Ginebra as the 6’9” forward finished with a team-high 19 points on top of six rebounds and two blocks. LA Tenorio added 12 points and four assists.
Veteran Jayjay Helterbrand, who was celebrating his birthday, also played a key role in Ginebra’s win, nailing all four of his shots, including three triples, to finish with 11 points — all in the fourth quarter when the Kings unleashed a 16-0 blast. Ginebra outscored Meralco, 30-12, in the final quarter.
Import Justin Brownlee had a mediocre shooting night after firing 42 points in Wednesday’s Game 3. He settled for just 10 points Friday, the same output produced by Sol Mercado.
Mark Caguioa made timely baskets also in the fourth quarter, finishing with eight markers.
Joe Devance, who scored the go-ahead basket for Ginebra in the endgame, added seven points.
Allen Durham led Meralco with 34 points while Chris Newsome added 15 markers.
Fajardo gets 3rd straight MVP crown
San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo became the first player to win the MVP award for the third straight season in the PBA’s 41-year history Friday.
The 26-year-old 6’10” center also won the Sportsmanship Award for the second successive year.
Fajardo beat TNT’s Jayson Castro and Alaska’s Calvin Abueva for the award, joining his closest pursuers in the Mythical Five along with GlobalPort’s Terrence Romeo and SMB’s Arwind Santos.
Making up the Mythical second team is SMB’s Alex Cabagnot, Ginebra’s LA Tenorio, NLEX’s Asi Taulava and Sean Anthony, and Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar, who’s also part of the All-Defensive team along with Star’s Marc Pingris, Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood, SMB’s Chris Ross, and Alaska’s Ping Exciminiano.
Meralco’s Chris Newsome was named this year’s top rookie, while Rain or Shine’s Jericho Cruz was named Most Improved Player.
Major roster changes
In a blockbuster deal, Rain or Shine has traded star guard Paul Lee to Star for two-time MVP James Yap.
Rain or Shine also traded JR Quinahan to GlobalPort for Jay Washington.
The Star Hotshots also decided to replace head coach Jason Webb with former Mahindra Enforcer coach Chito Victolero following Star’s disappointing season.
Game Sunday (tentative): Barangay Ginebra Kings vs. Meralco Bolts (Game 5 of best-of-7 finals; series tied 2-2).
