Barangay Ginebra turned the heat in the third period to blast NorthPort, 118-102, and get a headstart en route to the semis in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Philsports Arena on 7 December.
The Gin Kings' assault was led by import Justin Brownlee, who knocked in 19 of his 39 points in the third period, as the league's most popular team outscored the Batang Pier, 33-24, setting the tone for the rout.
Five other players produced nine points or more for the Gin Kings — Stanley Pingle (16), Jamie Malonzo (13), LA Tenorio (12), Scottie Thompson (11) and Jeremiah Gray (9).
Tenorio, the PBA's modern-day Iron Man, achieved yet another milestone as he moved up in the fourth all-time list for most number of treys, surpassing Ronnie Magsanoc.
The veteran guard now has 1,174 treys, and four behind third overall leader, two-time Most Valuable Player James Yap (1,178).
Tenorio can surpass, tie or move closer behind Yap when the Gin Kings try to close out their best-of-three series with a win against the Batang Pier at 4:30 p.m. on 10 December.
The scores:
GINEBRA 118 – Brownlee 39, Pringle 16, Malonzo 13, Tenorio 12, Thompson 11, Gray 9, J.Aguilar 7, Mariano 6, Standhardinger 5
NORTHPORT 102 – Tolentino 29, Bolick 21, Ibeh 18, Ferrer 15, Sumang 9, Navarro 8, Ayaay 2, Chan 0, Calma 0, Balanza 0
QUARTERS: 29-24, 56-50, 89-74, 118-102
