Editor’s Note: Why TNT keeps edging Ginebra in Finals trilogy

TNT once again defeated Ginebra in a championship series, closing it out in overtime of Game 7 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, 87-83.

Prior to that, the Tropang Giga had already defeated the Gin Kings in their past two Governors’ Cup encounters.

So, what are the reasons why it seems that TNT Tropang Giga always has the edge against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel?

The first reason we can point to is Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

The hardworking TNT import barely rested in Game 7—playing 52 minutes of competitive basketball and finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.

Before that, RHJ had already cemented his legacy in the past two conferences in which he reached the Finals. He accomplished what other imports failed to do—defeat Ginebra’s resident import Justin Brownlee in the championship round.

Before Hollis-Jefferson entered the picture, Brownlee had a stellar 6-0 record in the Finals. But RHJ rose to the occasion and handed the Gilas naturalized player not just one championship loss but three!

The second key factor is Jayson Castro’s leadership and veteran smarts.

The Pampanga native, known as “The Blur,” led TNT to its second straight Governors’ Cup title last year, where he was named Finals MVP.

In that series, Castro took Abarrientos to school, showcasing his veteran skills against the Ginebra rookie. He also had an advantage, as his counterpart, LA Tenorio, didn’t have as much playing time anymore.

However, in the Commissioner’s Cup, he suffered a season-ending injury during their semis matchup against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Despite not playing, his mere presence—visiting TNT practices and watching games live—was enough to inspire the Tropang Giga to claim the crown.

This leads to the third reason why TNT secured the title: Rey Nambatac stepped up big time in Castro’s absence.

Nambatac was consistent throughout the series, finishing in double figures in every game and delivering clutch shots time and again. None were bigger than his Game 7 performance, where he finished with 22 markers on four three-pointers, two boards, and four dimes to cap off his stellar series and secure his first Finals MVP plum.

Fourth on the list is the support cast of TNT.

Let’s begin with Poy Erram, who might have his emotional struggles, but when focused, he can work wonders for the Tropang Giga. He has also acknowledged the need for support in overcoming his challenges.

Next is Glenn Khobuntin, who embraced his role in the team and proved that when it was time to be clutch, he delivered.

The National University standout was named Best Player of the Game in their title-clinching match after putting up 14 points, including a crucial three-pointer in overtime that extended TNT’s lead to six with more than two minutes left.

Another major factor was the 2008 league MVP, Kelly Williams.

“Machine Gun Kelly” may no longer put up MVP numbers, but he did the “dirty work” that doesn’t always show in the stat sheet.

Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy also played key roles in TNT’s success. Though they struggled at times, they stepped up in the clutch when the Tropang Giga needed them the most.

On the other hand, Ginebra heavily relied on Brownlee and 2021-22 league MVP Scottie Thompson to carry the load for the Gin Kings.

Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo had their moments in the series but were not as consistent as Brownlee and Thompson.

Stephen Holt was commendable in his defense against RHJ, but it wasn’t enough to contain the TNT workhorse.

Abarrientos showed flashes of brilliance at times but was not consistent. He was also outmatched by TNT’s seasoned guards.

Former TNT player Troy Rosario struggled during the series. He was seen limping at times, possibly due to injury, but regardless, he didn’t meet expectations in this battle, managing only two points in the grand finale.

Another key factor was the absence of certain players.

For Ginebra, Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger were missing—two players instrumental in Ginebra’s previous success before their downfall.

Fans often wondered, “What if the two were still with us?” Pringle could have been a go-to option in clutch moments, while Standhardinger could have provided the “dirty work” to help the team succeed.

However, in their 2023 encounter, Pringle and Standhardinger were still with the Gin Kings when they lost to TNT. They were later traded for Holt and Isaac Go, the latter of whom didn’t play a single game in the tournament due to injury.

On TNT’s side, they were also missing someone from their previous Finals run—Mikey Williams, the MVP of that series.

Williams eventually parted ways with TNT due to an inability to reach a mutual agreement with the management.

The difference? The Tropang Giga found ways to address the gap—Nambatac being one of the solutions—while the Gin Kings relied on a short rotation.

Finally, the last major factor: Coach Chot Reyes knew Coach Tim Cone and his system very well.

Speaking of systems, TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa also mastered the strategies of his former mentor, even winning a championship when he took over the Tropang Giga’s coaching duties in their 2023 campaign.

Now that we’ve examined some of the possible reasons why TNT dominated Ginebra, let’s leave with some questions to be answered as the new conference unfolds on April 4:

• Will TNT, now called the Tropang 5G, remain dominant and finally secure the franchise’s first Grand Slam?
• Will Ginebra bounce back despite missing JB as they battle in the All-Filipino Conference?
• Or will one of the 10 other teams play spoiler and claim the Philippine Cup title?