Justin Brownlee, Abarrientos rescue Ginebra as CJ Cansino helps Meralco regain footing in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos delivered when Barangay Ginebra needed them most, turning a sluggish start into a gutsy comeback that kept the Gin Kings moving in the right direction in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

Brownlee shook off a rough opening half and found his rhythm late, while Abarrientos stayed aggressive throughout as Ginebra erased a double-digit deficit and escaped with a 99-93 victory over Converge on Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The win pushed the Gin Kings to 2-1 in the conference and highlighted a growing chemistry between their veteran import and rising local guard.

Brownlee finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, overcoming his early struggles by taking command in the closing stretch. Abarrientos backed him up with a conference-high 32 points, along with four assists and three rebounds, giving Ginebra the offensive spark it badly needed.

Troy Rosario quietly played a major role inside, posting a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds while helping stabilize the Gin Kings in a physical battle.

For much of the first half and the early part of the third quarter, Converge looked poised to control the game.

The FiberXers built a lead that reached 10 points and kept Ginebra on the back foot, forcing the Gin Kings to chase the pace. But once Brownlee and Abarrientos began attacking in rhythm, the game shifted.

Back-to-back baskets from the duo, along with timely triples from Nard John Pinto, fueled the turnaround as Ginebra surged ahead, 81-74, after trailing for most of the night.

The FiberXers answered with a run of their own and briefly reclaimed the lead, 93-92, threatening to spoil Ginebra’s comeback. But in the decisive moments, the Gin Kings were steadier.

Rosario and Abarrientos calmly knocked down free throws, and Brownlee delivered the basket that finally gave Ginebra control for good.

Converge leaned on a balanced attack in defeat, with Justine Baltazar leading the way with 20 points. Mikey Williams and MJ Garcia added 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Kylor Kelley turned in a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.

The loss dropped the FiberXers to 1-4 in the conference. Both teams entered the matchup undermanned.

Ginebra played without Japeth Aguilar, Kemark Carino, and Jayson David, while Converge missed Juan Gomez de Liaño, Calvin Abueva, and Justin Arana.

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BAWING-BAWI, MGA KABS

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel delivered a hard-fought win, outlasting the Converge FiberXers to bounce back in the win column after a tightly contested PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup clash!#PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/802PYlFWQY

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) March 29, 2026

BALIK-LIWANAG

CJ Cansino and Meralco staved off a late Titan Ultra Giant Risers charge as the Bolts got back on track, claiming their third win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup campaign.#PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/MawL3Xwz1u

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) March 29, 2026

Earlier in the day, Meralco made sure its response to a disappointing loss was immediate.

After stumbling against an import-less Rain or Shine side last Friday, the Bolts came out sharper and more purposeful, rolling past Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 118-105, to improve to 3-1.

CJ Cansino led the charge with 26 points, setting the tone for a Meralco side that looked determined to reestablish control from the opening quarter.

Import Marvin Jones anchored the interior with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Kier John Quinto added 15 points. Jason Brickman and Javee Mocon chipped in 13 and 11, respectively, as the Bolts showcased their depth.

Meralco established its grip early, taking a 26-16 lead after one quarter before blowing the game open in the second period. At one point, the Bolts’ advantage ballooned to 28, with their crisp ball movement and transition play overwhelming Titan Ultra.

The Giant Risers made one final charge in the fourth quarter, slicing the gap to 97-89 and briefly injecting some tension into the contest.

But Meralco stayed composed down the stretch, converting from the line and putting the game away with a breakaway dunk from Bong Quinto.

John Bryan Sajonia continued his strong conference with a career-high 29 points for Titan Ultra, while Michael Gilmore added 25 points and 16 rebounds in a losing effort.

Still, the Giant Risers slipped to 1-3 after failing to fully recover from Meralco’s early onslaught.

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