Game 3 looked like the intense war that it was expected to be as the teams headed to the break with the Gin Kings only holding a one point lead. The second half then arrived and Ginebra went on a quarter-long barrage that created a huge cushion.

The Gin Kings outscored the Bolts in the third quarter, 35-16, and blasted the Bolts by dishing out nine assists without committing a single turnover. “Stan the Man” Stanley Pringle was indeed the man as he was the catalyst of the attack, pouring in 17 of his 21 points in the period.

Ginebra’s big guns in the paint, import Justin Brownlee and defensive anchor Japeth Aguilar, both had big games as well –  Brownlee flirted with a triple-double by scoring 24 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Aguilar made his presence felt on both ends by posting 23 points and seven blocks.

Allen Durham dropped in 23 points, and Chris Newsome threw in 24 for the Bolts. They’re going to need to do more to even the series, though.

Meralco will want to shoot the three-ball better, after putting up a dismal 25% from beyond the arc for the game. They’re also going to need to be a lot more careful with the ball, considering they spewed 20 turnovers compared to the 9 that Ginebra gave up.

To make matters worse for Meralco, they are now undermanned

Meralco’s starting big man, Raymond Almazan, suffered a knee injury early in the game and did not return. He’s an important piece offensively and defensively and his probably absence will be a huge blow to the Bolts.

Game 4 is on Wednesday, 7 PM, and will once again be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.