PBA: NLEX upsets Ginebra in OT, keeps slim playoff hopes alive

NLEX import Earl Clark goes for a layup against Barangay Ginebra in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—NLEX kept its slim chances of making the quarterfinals alive after stunning Barangay Ginebra with a 120-117 overtime victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser knocked down a go-ahead triple with 1:37 left in the extra period to put his team up 119-117 before the Road Warriors forced the Gin Kings to miss their final five attempts to pull off an unlikely victory.

Import Earl Clark scored 37 points while Don Trollano sizzled for 20 of his 26 in the third as NLEX improved to 4-7, snapping a five-game skid while ending Ginebra’s streak of five straight wins.

That kept the Road Warriors in the hunt for a place in the quarters, needing to defeat the Meralco Bolts on Nov. 30.

“Kung baga sa isda, kumakawag-kawag pa,” said coach Frankie Lim.

Ginebra dropped to 7-3 for fourth spot, needing to beat NorthPort on Sunday and Converge on Nov. 30 and hope that Magnolia (8-2) drops one of its last two outings to get the quarterfinal incentive.

The Gin Kings’ defeat assured the Bay Area Dragons, who went 10-2, the top seed going into the quarters.
Justin Brownlee finished with 39 points but missed his final four shots, including a game-tying three before the horn.

The Scores:

NLEX 120 — Clark 37, Trollano 26, Alas 18, Nieto 10, Chua 9, Rosales 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Varilla 1, Miranda 0.

GINEBRA 117 — Brownlee 39, Thompson 17, J.Aguilar 13, Malonzo 12, Gray 11, Pringle 11, Standhardinger 9, Tenorio 5, Mariano 0.

Quarters: 25-22, 54-58, 90-83, 113-113 (Reg), 120-117 (OT).

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