RJ Abarrientos delivered once again as the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings punched their ticket back to the PBA championship stage.

The Gin Kings became the first team to reach the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup finals after eliminating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 118-107, in Game 6 of their semifinal clash at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, May 31.

Abarrientos finished with 30 points built on four three-pointers, along with seven assists, six rebounds and three steals for Ginebra, which is seeking redemption after losing to TNT Tropang 5G in the finals of the same conference last season.

Justin Brownlee was once again his reliable self, tallying 31 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.

Scottie Thompson added 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, including a crucial three-pointer at the 1:43 mark that gave the Gin Kings a 116-102 cushion and effectively shut the door on Rain or Shine.

Ginebra will face the winner of the other semifinal series between TNT and the Meralco Bolts in the best-of-seven finals.

Meanwhile, Jaylen Johnson paced the Elasto Painters with 27 points and 13 rebounds, and Gian Mamuyac added 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting to spearhead their second-half rally.

Adrian Nocum also delivered with 16 points, seven assists and three rebounds, while Caelan Tiongson and Anton Asistio chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Unfortunately, for the Rain or Shine faithful, their comeback fell short as Abarrientos and Ginebra answered every threat to preserve the series-clinching win. (ABS-CBN News)