Justin Brownlee saved the day as the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings edged the TNT Tropang 5G, 102-100, in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup finals at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The longtime Ginebra import hit the game-winning jumper over Chris McCullough to finish with 23 points, eight assists, and four rebounds as the Gin Kings took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven affair.

Sophomore guard RJ Abarrientos also drained two clutch four-pointers to finish with 24 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals, helping Ginebra avoid squandering an 18-point lead.

Scottie Thompson added 15 points, six assists and five rebounds, and the Gin Kings will hope to replicate the poise they showed down the stretch ahead of Game 2.

Down 96-97 with 41 seconds remaining, Abarrientos drained his second four-pointer of the game at the 20-second mark to give Ginebra a 100-97 advantage.

However, Pogoy quickly tied the contest with a triple before Brownlee came to the rescue once again with 10 seconds left.

The six-time PBA champion recreated his iconic game-winning jumper from a decade ago, this time hitting a fadeaway over McCullough with just 0.6 seconds remaining.

That left TNT with one final chance, but Brownlee’s defense on Calvin Oftana’s game-tying attempt sealed the victory.

Troy Rosario also delivered 16 points, while Ralph Cu chipped in nine on three triples.

Meanwhile, McCullough led TNT with 25 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, though he shot just 11-of-23 from the field.

Pogoy followed with 22 points, while Nambatac added 19 markers. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Oftana contributed 12 points apiece. (ABS-CBN News)