The TNT Tropang Giga once again rules the PBA Governors’ Cup.
TNT overcame the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 95-85, to claim their second straight Governors’ Cup crown on Friday, November 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Barangay Ginebra led 74-66 at the end of the third quarter, but TNT showed they were the more determined team again this time.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson opened the fourth period with back-to-back baskets, while Rey Nambatac drilled a trey to tie the game at 74.
It was neck-and-neck then until RJ Abarrientos drilled a four-pointer to give Ginebra an 81-79 lead at the 7:08 mark.
Another jumper from the Ginebra rookie gave his squad an 83-80 lead, but RR Pogoy answered with a triple to tie the game anew.
Justin Brownlee put Ginebra at 85-83 to claim the lead, until it was the last basket the team made.
TNT managed to make a run ignited by a Kelly Williams layup.
Hollis-Jefferson joined the party as well to give TNT enough breathing space before Pogoy hit the dagger trey with less than a minute left.
A split from Hollis-Jefferson eventually sealed the deal as Brownlee and Abarrientos missed their attempts from beyond the arcs.
The Tropang Giga outscored Ginebra, 29-11, in the fourth quarter alone to finish the series.
“I would like to give credit to coach Tim [Cone] and the entire Ginebra team, that organization, it was a hell of a series, especially this last Game 6. Coach Tim made a lot of adjustments at the start, great coaching moves at the start,” head coach Chot Reyes said after steering TNT to its first championship since his return early this year.
Best Import Hollis-Jefferson registered 31 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, while Pogoy and Jayson Castro chipped in 13 points apiece for TNT.
Abarrientos posted a career-high 31 points, although it was spoiled by the loss, while Brownlee had 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
TNT won the first two games of the series before Barangay Ginebra managed to even the series at 2-2.
In Game 5, the Tropang Giga demolished Barangay Ginebra, 99-72.
This is TNT’s 10th title overall. (GMA Integrated News)