Cheyenne Suarez

PBA: JB-RJ duo leads Ginebra past Rain or Shine, nears Finals

Ginebra's Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos. PBA Images

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780063908872basketball.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Ginebra&#x27;s Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos. PBA Images"/>Ginebra&#x27;s Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos. PBA ImagesMANILA — Ginebra is one win away from making a PBA finals return.</div>The Gin Kings, leaning on the hot hands of Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos, turned back Rain or Shine, 111-104, in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.Brownlee exploded for 32 points to lead all scorers, to go with six rebounds and six assists, followed closely by the star guard who put up 31 points along with eight assists and four rebounds.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/5/29/pba-chris-mccullough-takes-over-as-tnt-seizes-pivotal-3-2-lead-over-meralco-1955">READ: PBA: Chris McCullough takes over as TNT seizes pivotal 3-2 lead over Meralco </a></div>It was a huge improvement for Abarrientos, who only had eight points in Game 4.They were backstopped by Troy Rosario, who had 16 markers and seven boards, as Scottie Thompson added nine.A win on Sunday would earn them a ticket to the championship round, while Elasto Painters seek to force a rubber match.Adrian Nocum paced their side with 25 points including 6-of-6 makes from the free throw line, while Jaylen Johnson had 22 points to go with 14 rebounds.Jhonard Clarito also breached the 20-point territory with a 20-piece while contributing 10 boards.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>GINEBRA 111 – Brownlee 32, Abarrientos 31, Rosario 16, Thompson 9, Holt 8, Cu 8, Gray 3, Pinto 2, J.Aguilar 2, Go 0, Abis 0RAIN OR SHINE 104 – Nocum 25, Johnson 22, Clarito 20, Mamuyac 11, Tiongson 10, David 6, Malonzo 4, Caracut 1, Asistio 0, Manaytay 0QUARTERS: 31-26, 56-44, 83-71, 111-104