Big games from big stars in PBA

By Robert Andaya 

BASKETBALL remains a widely-followed team sports, but the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 49 Governors’ Cup has already produced several outstanding individual performances from both local and foreign players after only two weeks of action-packed games. 

These standout performances have enabled to fire up the imagination of even the most local basketball analysts and bring the fans back to the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

To date, here are the players who scored 50 or more points during this exciting week of basketball 

Jordan Adams of San Miguel Beer — 50 points against Blackwater last Aug 25 

Adams led the star-studded Beermen to a blowout win against the Bossing, posting a 128-108, last August 25. 

The 6-5 guard from Atlanta, Georgia, went 6-of-10 from beyond the arc despite Blackwater’s solid defense. 

Adams added 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block in the victory. 

Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra — 51 points against San Miguel last Aug. 27. 

A former PBA Best Import awardee and now naturalized Filipino with Gilas Pilipinas , Brownlee erupted for 51 points in a 108-102 victory by the Gin Kings over the Beermen on August 27. 

The 36-year-old went 18-of-29 from the field, adding 13 rebounds, six steals, and five assists to help the Gin Kings bounce back after a heartbreaking setback against Rain or Shine in Candon, Ilocos Sur. 

Arvin Tolentino of NorthPort Batang Pier — 51 points against Converge last August 29. 

The scoring parade for the week also featured Tolentino, who established a career-high in points scored. 

Tolentino became the first local player in six years to score 50 or more points as Northport clobbered Converge,135-109 in their PBA Governors’ Cup game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

He finished with 51 points on 15-of-27 shooting, leading the Bonnie Tan-mentored Batang Pier to their second win. 

Tolentino also became the first player to score at least 50 points since Stanley Pringle did it in 2018 when he was still with Globalport. 

Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, a blend of young talent and veteran experience, remain perfect with a 3-0 start for coach Yeng Guiao. 

In their first three games, the E-Painters defeated Blackwater,110-97, on August 20; Ginebra, 73-64, on August 24; and NLEX,124-105,on August 28.