The TNT Tropang Giga are kings of the 2024-2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, as they snatched the crown against fan-favorites Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.

TNT broke the hearts of the Gin Kings on Friday night, March 28, claiming a hard-earned 87-83 overtime win in the deciding Game 7 of the championship series in front of a huge crowd at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Tropang Giga continues to have Ginebra’s number, having beaten them in the 2023 Governors’ Cup and again in the 2024 edition of the same conference — doing so in six games both times.

This time around, they overturned a 2-3 series deficit and did not buckle in the face of another clutch shot from Justin Brownlee. Instead, they took control in overtime and handed the beloved Ginebra import his first loss in a PBA Game 7.

There were plenty of heroes for TNT, which won the championship without talismanic point guard Jayson Castro after “The Blur” suffered a season-ending injury in the semifinals against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

There was Rey Nambatac, who took over playmaking duties and battled through cramps to finish with 22 points, four assists and three steals. He earned Finals MVP honors after averaging 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and a steal in the series.

There was Calvin Oftana, who bucked a slow start and nailed two huge three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help the Tropang Giga stay in the fight.

There was, of course, import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who played nearly 53 minutes and put up 25 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and a block in a remarkable performance. The Best Import of the Conference was hobbling by the end and needed to be held up by his teammates, but ensured that TNT finished on top.

But Player of the Game honors in Game 7 went to Glenn Khobuntin, who came off the bench to score 14 points, including a massive three-pointer in overtime, while playing his usual brand of stout defense.

“Wala, sabi ni Coach Chot, last game na ‘to. Wala na akong inisip. Kung ma-miss, go back on defense. Thank you Lord, na-shoot ko ang mga tira ko,” he said afterward. (ABS-CBN News)