Ginebra closes in on PBA title with gritty Game 5 win over TNT
Barangay Ginebra inched closer to another PBA championship after a hard-fought 73-66 win over TNT in Game 5 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night, March 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee took charge in the final minutes, scoring the Gin Kings’ last 12 points while their teammates locked down the Tropang Giga defensively.
With under four minutes remaining and Ginebra trailing by one, Thompson hit a crucial jumper to give his team a 67-66 edge. From there, star import Brownlee took over, extending the lead and sealing the pivotal 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven series.
“Honestly, we think we all knew from our side that Justin was struggling with his hand a bit more today than the last game and so everybody had to step up,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
“And even though Justin made big shots down the stretch, it was the inspiration of Scottie that turned the tide for us. We didn’t play a good first half. The first half was like in second gear. We knew at halftime we had to step it up to a higher gear to have a chance,” he added.
TNT struggled to respond, failing to convert a single field goal after Rey Nambatac’s free throws at the 4:25 mark.
Despite late attempts from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Glen Khobuntin, and RR Pogoy following an RJ Abarrientos turnover with 25.2 seconds left, the Tropang Giga couldn’t capitalize, allowing Ginebra to escape with the win.
Brownlee, despite dealing with a right thumb injury, led Ginebra with 18 points on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting, adding 14 rebounds and five assists.
Thompson led the local unit with a double-double output of 16 markers, 10 boards, and five dimes, while Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 11 apiece.
On the other hand, RHJ paced TNT with 19 points but struggled with his efficiency, making just seven of 26 attempts from the field. Nambatac also recorded 19 markers built on three triples.
Calvin Oftana, Kim Aurin, and Pogoy each scored eight points, but their efforts weren’t enough to regain control of the series after holding a 2-1 lead earlier.
With the 3-2 series lead, Ginebra now has the chance to close out the finals and capture the championship on Wednesday, March 26, at the same venue in Quezon City.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 73 – Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, J.Aguilar 11, Ahanmisi 11, Rosario 6, Malonzo 6, Holt 3, Abarrientos 2, Tenorio 0
TNT 66 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Oftana 8, Pogoy 8, Aurin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Williams 0, Exciminiano 0, Khobuntin 0
Quarter Scores: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66
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