We’re in for another entertaining back-and-forth. Can the Bolts tie it again or will Ginebra tighten its grip in the series?
Check out or recap for Game 3!
The Meralco Bolts
The Bolts were decent in the first half of Game 3, riding high in the momentum of that Game 2 win. But then, they just seemingly took a nap. They got smacked in the third quarter, 35-16, and were on an uphill battle until the game ended. Meralco tried to rally in the final frame but ultimately fell short and lost, 92-84.
Meralco’s road ahead will now have countless crumbs of desperation as the ghost of Ginebra’s two finals wins over them is lurking, especially with starting center Raymond Almazan possibly out due to a knee injury. With that, we might see import Allen Durham have the ball more than ever. He’s averaging 23 points, 16.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game in the series.
Chris Newsome, the most reliable local in the team and arguably the best shot creator outside of Durham, should continue to help his import out. The 29-year-old is behind Durham in scoring and facilitating in the finals at 21.6 PPG and 5.0 APG.
Trevis Jackson had a pretty serviceable Game 3, scoring eight points and showcasing solid defense on LA Tenorio in his 13 minutes of action. We’ll see if he can finally be that third consistent guy for the team.
The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings
The comeback win in Game 1 and the loss in Game 2 were a mixture of starting slow and just playing uninspired as a whole, so Game 3’s 92-84 win was Ginebra’s best performance of the series. That momentum-shifting onslaught in the third period was everything. They were plus 19 on points through pushing the pace, tallying nine assists, and not committing a single turnover.
As the Gin Kings look to jump into the driver’s seat, look for their three main guys to continue bringing in the goods. Import Justin Brownlee (32.3 PPG, 12 RPG), as always, will carry the scoring load, while defensive anchor Japeth Aguilar (19 PPG, 6 RPG, 3.6 BPG) and the high-flying Stanley Pringle (18 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4 APG) help out in timely spurts.
The two locals are coming in with good momentum too – Aguilar blocked seven shots in Game 3, while Pringle has scored 23 and 21 points in the series’ last two games.
PREDICTION:
Ginebra wins, 100-94, to push Meralco in the brink. Brownlee, Aguilar, and Pringle should be able to continue putting up good numbers, particularly the two bigs since Almazan is likely out.
