The Meralco Bolts has prepared a distasteful welcome back party for Ginebra’s balik-import Justin Brownlee as they send the Gin Kings to their back-to-back setbacks.
Actually it was Anjo Caram who started it all especially playing a pesky defense against Ginebra’s ace point guard LA Tenorio. Not only he demonstrated a stinging defense he also converting mid-range jumpers that made coach Tim Cone on fire.
The multi-awarded coach who is famously known of his triangle offense in the PBA, coach Cone went raging as he thrown probably strong words to Tenorio during one of their huddles. Caram went short jumper after short jumper as Meralco keeping its distance against Ginebra.
Usually coming off the bench but Meralco’s coach Norman Black inserted Caram as one of his starters and his primary task is to cool down “Tenyente” Tenorio.
“I was just being ready, knowing that I am being tasked to guard LA and we know he is a talented player,” Caram said. “Credit din to my teammates, they found me for my open shots and I made them,” he added.
Anjo Caram finished the game with 12 points and seven assists while his fellow Bida Player of the Game Chris Newsome led Meralco with his 22 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Ranidel De Ocampo who also played his first game since the 2017 PBA Governor’s Cup Finals logged five points in 21 minutes of action.
Meralco ballooned its lead to 17-point prior to the last buzzer of the third quarter. The “Never-Say-Die” spirit started to fly inside the Mall of Asia Arena when Ginebra cuts the lead to only ten points.
However, the Bolts were ready and continue to play solid defense as they regained the lead and never looked back.
Vintage Justin Brownlee
🎥 Brownlee bitaw pa lang, alam mong papasok na! #WeArePBA pic.twitter.com/Rh9OQcQt8D
— PBA (@pbaconnect) June 1, 2018
Justin Brownlee finished the game with 20 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists in his 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup debut. Brownlee lacked scoring support from locals which might be one of the reasons why they aren’t able to secure tonight’s victory.
Meralco vs Ginebra Box Score
Gin Kings (82) – Brownlee 20, Aguilar 13, Thompson 12, Slaughter 8, Mercado 7, Devance 6, Tenorio 6, Caguioa 5, Caperal 5
Bolts (93) – Onuaku 24, Newsome 22, Dillinger 13, Caram 12, Amer 10, De Ocampo 5, Hodge 4, Lanete 3