Ginebra’s challenge: How to stop Durham

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra found no antidote for the venom that Meralco import Allen Durham spewed in Game 1 of the PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Friday and if coach Tim Cone hopes to tie up the series in Game 2 tonight, he has to find a way to neutralize the man called the Hulk.

Durham, 28, dished out a hulking performance with 46 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and no turnover in 50:03 minutes as Meralco downed Ginebra, 114-109 in overtime to draw first blood in the duel. He played the key role in tipping the balance for the Bolts, keeping Ginebra at bay with his inside-outside attack. Durham hit 5-of-6 triples and finished with 16-of-25 field goals, a lofty 64 percent clip. He also knocked down 9-of-12 free throws.

If Cone’s gambit was to neutralize Durham with Ginebra import Justin Brownlee churning out similar figures, it didn’t work. Brownlee, 28, was far from efficient as he compiled 17 points, eight rebounds and four dimes in 47:14 minutes. He shot 7-of-18 from the field, 2-of-6 threes and 1-of-2 free throws. The disparity in the opposing imports’ stats was glaring. Brownlee was outscored by 29 points and even if he had no turnover like Durham, his impact was hardly significant.

Ginebra guard L. A. Tenorio fired a career-high 36 points in an import-like display of firepower but it was only enough to offset the timid single-digit production of Sol Mercado, Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar. Brownlee averaged 29.3 points and 11.3 rebounds entering the finals so what he contributed in Game 1 was way below par.

What makes Durham so difficult to defend is his ability to connect from short or long range. He’s just as big and tall as Brownlee but he’s more versatile. Durham can post up, face the basket, create inside position and put the ball on the floor. For Ginebra, the goal is to make Durham a passer, force him to release by influencing the distributor to bring the ball to a position that could be compromised by a double team. But that’s easier said than done.

Durham is more familiar with the PBA brand of basketball than Brownlee because it’s his second tour of duty. In the 2014 Governors Cup, he took over from Eric Wise to average 25.5 points and 23 rebounds in four games with Barako Bull. Meralco coach Norman Black brought Durham back because he’s a fit for the Bolts system which thrives on execution with ball movement. And now that Jimmy Alapag is back in form, the Mighty Mouse is the perfect feeder for the perfect receiver.

In Game 1, Alapag scattered 13 points and wasn’t the only local who delivered major numbers. Rookie sensation Chris Newsome compiled 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists while veteran Reynel Hugnatan had 15 points and eight boards. Although Cliff Hodge was checked to four points and Jared Dillinger sat out the action to recover from a hamstring strain, Meralco bagged Game 1 by outscoring Ginebra in fastbreak points, 14-6, second chance points, 27-7, three-pointers, 10-8 and free throw conversions, 20-17.

For Ginebra, the consolation was despite Brownlee’s unusually lackluster showing, the Barangay almost nailed it and even led by 16 points. Joe DeVance and Mark Caguioa combined for 27 points but Ginebra’s consistency was undermined by the virtual absence of Mercado, Thompson and Aguilar. Mercado was fresh from a 22-point effort but shot only eight. Thompson had 24 points and 15 rebounds in his previous game but chipped in only eight. Aguilar extended his slump to three games after scores of one, five and six points.

Cone, however, isn’t as worried about Ginebra’s offense as its defense. Before the finals, Ginebra was No. 1 in defense in the league, giving up 95.2 points. But in Game 1, the Barangay surrendered 114 points, the most any team has bombarded Ginebra since the start of the conference. It also marked the first time that Ginebra lost in the Governors Cup with Mercado, Tenorio and Thompson in the starting lineup.

The probability of Ginebra taking Game 2 is higher if Meralco is held to 95 points or less. In Ginebra’s 12 wins so far, the Barangay limited opponents to an average of 92 points but in six losses, the team surrendered105.7. Durham is the biggest thorn on Ginebra’s side and his credentials are solid. In four years at Grace Bible College in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association, Durham averaged 16 points a game and led the Michigan school to two Division II championships. Because Durham came from a small school, he was snubbed in the NBA draft and made his way to Romania, Finland, Israel, France and the Philippines as an import. Last season, Durham played with Bobby Ray Parks on the Texas Legends team in the NBA D-League.

Brownlee played two seasons at St. John’s University, the New York school that produced Metta World Peace, Mark Jackson and Chris Mullin. Former St. John’s and UCLA head coach Steve Lavin described Brownlee as a “silky smooth and explosive athlete with a diverse skill set and an outstanding sense and feel for the game.” In his PBA debut, Brownlee joined Ginebra as a replacement for injured import Paul Harris. Brownlee plays with a lot of heart and identifies with Ginebra’s never-say-die spirit. He had an off-night in Game 1. If Ginebra hopes to even the series, Brownlee can’t afford another forgettable performance.