The most popular ballclub is now the champion of the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, in its 22nd finals appearance, withstood a gallant stand by the Meralco Bolts to win Game 6 and the championship series on Wednesday, October 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Gin Kings thus ended 8 agonizingly long years of title drought by clinching the franchise’s 9th title.
The last time Ginebra won a championship was during the 2008 Fiesta Conference championship.
Justin Brownlee nailed a triple from top of the key as the buzzer expired and Ginebra escaped with 91-88 victory to the delight of the predominantly pro-Ginebra crowd that packed the Big Dome to the rafters.
The Living Legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski was also in attendance. The 70-year-old Jaworski visited the Ginebra dugout at halftime and gave the players a pep talk with the Gin Kings behind by 13 points. In the second half, Ginebra came out with all guns loaded and just minutes into the third quarter, the Kings were able to take their first lead of the game giving them the momentum they needed to tame the Bolts.
Ginebra, won the best-of-7 series in 6 grueling, tightly-contested games and on the combined line-up composed of youthful talents and battle-scarred veterans.
LA Tenorio bagged the Finals MVP award. The 5-foot-8 Tenorio averaged 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals. In Game 6, he tallied with 25 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Two-time Grand Slam coach Tim Cone steered Ginebra to victory. Cone was appointed head coach of the Gin Kings just before this season. It is Cone’s 19th PBA title overall and his 93rd finals triumph, achieving the feat on the 93rd birthday of his coaching idol, the late great Baby Dalupan.
