By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

DEFENDING Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings claimed Game One of their best-of-five semifinal series with the TNT KaTropa last night, winning, 121-94, to set their bid to a good start.

Found themselves clicking on both ends of the court for much of the contest, the Kings proved to be difficult to handle for the KaTropa in the series opener as they surged to the victory.

Both teams fought it tight to start the opening quarter, winding up tied at 19-all with three minutes on the clock.

The Kings though would outscore the KaTropa, 12-3, the rest of the way to pick up a 31-22 lead at the end of the period.

Barangay Ginebra continued to keep TNT at bay in the second canto.

It extended its lead to 13 points, 45-32, in the first four minutes before the KaTropa cut their deficit to just eight points, 56-48, with under one minute left.

Baskets from Sol Mercado and LA Tenorio after, however, gave the Kings more breathing space, 60-48, at the halftime break.

The Kings had another quick jump in the third quarter, going on a 13-5 run a third into the frame to take a 20-point cushion, 73-53.

TNT tried to claw back but got little headway as it still found itself trailing big, 95-75, three-fourths into the contest.

With the game under their control, the Kings just grew more confident, opening the payoff quarter with 9-0 run to establish a lead of 29 points, 104-75, with 7:50 on the clock.

The Kings extended their lead some more in the next three minutes, 113-79, and then sailed away for the closeout.

Justine Brownlee, who did not play in the fourth period, led Barangay Ginebra with 21 points on top of eight rebounds and five assists.

Joe Devance had 19 points while Greg Slaughter finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Mark Caguioa had 13 points with LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar and Jervy Cruz each having 10.

TNT, meanwhile, was led by Glen Rice, Jr. with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Jayson Castro had 16 points and seven assists while Roger Pogoy had 12 markers.

“We are just happy to get the win. We had good offense and good defense and that did it for us,” said Mr. Devance, named player of the game, in the postgame interview.

“I know though that they will make the adjustments in the next game and we just have to play our best,” he added.

Game Two of the TNT-Barangay Ginebra semifinal series will be tomorrow at the Batangas City Coliseum.

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