MANILA — Ginebra is back as the PBA Governors’ Cup champion.
The league’s perennial crowd darling got back the pennant in the season-ending conference with a 105-93 rout of Meralco in Game 5 of the finals in front of 15,146 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Friday night.
The Barangay turned the tides in the second half, outscoring the Bolts, 65-47, behind a 30-18 third quarter and a 26-11 run late in the fourth to break a 77-all tie after the latter tried to rally early in the final frame.
Japeth Aguilar made 25 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and four blocks for Ginebra, which won the Governors’ Cup title for the third time in four seasons and 12th overall in the PBA since joining in 1979.
Aguilar was eventually named the Most Valuable Player of the series, finishing with averages of 17.4 points on 56 percent field goals, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks.
Justin Brownlee added 24 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and one block.
Allen Durham made 29 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists for Meralco. (PNA)
