Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee against the Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA (UPDATED) — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel reasserted its mastery over the Meralco Bolts anew to advance to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinals.

The Gin Kings set up a semifinals clash against the NorthPort Batang Pier after they axed Meralco, 94-87, during their do-or-die quarterfinals Game 3 faceoff on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Ginebra and NorthPort will battle in a best-of-7 affair after the PBA completes its mid-conference break to pave the way for Gilas Pilipinas' preparation and participation in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers later this month.

READ: Doha games a chance to integrate Edu, Malonzo with Gilas – Cone

Justin Brownlee starred for the Tim Cone-coached squad, putting up an all-around outing of 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and a steal, while RJ Abarrientos dazzled with 16 markers, five boards, and two dimes.

"It was a little scary there in the beginning. They really handled us well, and I thought we were stiff to start the game," said Cone after the game, wherein they trailed by 13 in the first half.

"That allowed them to stretch their lead, but I felt that we were still playing well," he added. 

Brownlee, with support from Stephen Holt and Ralph Cu, brought the Gin Kings to within one, 38-37, at halftime, and during that point, Coach Tim knew that they had the Bolts right where they wanted. 

"We were playing well on defense, and we just needed a spark," said Cone. "'Playoff Justin' showed up and gave us that spark. When we came back by one point at halftime, we were really confident that we would win this game."

Ginebra slightly distanced themselves in the third period, but it was Abarrientos' three-pointer at the 3:36 mark of the last quarter that not only put them up, 83-76, but also ignited their late-game surge. 

What followed this was a Brownlee and-one and a Japeth Aguilar slam that put the Gin Kings ahead, 88-76, while a Holt triple with only a minute and eight left pushed their lead to its biggest, 91-78.

Cliff Hodge and Bong Quinto attempted to will back their team through a five-to-nothing spurt, but these weren't enough for the Meralco squad who also saw their active consultant Nenad Vucinic get ejected after lashing at the referees with still 5:41 in the game. 

In that play, the Bolts, which were trailing 77-72, were called with an offensive foul as Quinto drove to the basket. Vucinic strongly disagreed as they could have cut their deficit to a single possession, but he was thrown out after getting his second technical foul.

Meralco then went on to challenge the charge and was successful in doing so, but Vucinic's technical in their eventual loss was not taken back.

Chris Newsome had 22 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the loss, while Akil Mitchell showed struggles due to his injury, only putting up eight points (2/11 FGs), 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.

The Scores:

Ginebra 94 – Brownlee 23, Holt 17, Abarrientos 16, Rosario 12, Thompson 7, J.Aguilar 6, Ahanmisi 6, Cu 5, Malonzo 0.

Meralco 87 – Newsome 22, Quinto 16, Hodge 13, Banhcero 12, Black 9, Mitchell 8, Rios 5, Almazan 2, Bates 0.

Quarterscores: 19-22, 37-38, 64-58, 94-87.