After three years, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings have finally returned to the top of Philippine basketball.
The Gin Kings clinched their 16th PBA title after reigning supreme over the TNT Tropang 5G, 88-76, in Game 7 of the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup finals before 24,617 fans on Wednesday, June 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Stepping up when it mattered most was Finals MVP Scottie Thompson, who scattered 19 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals without committing a turnover while battling through a massive cut below his left eye and lingering left hamstring issues.
“Isa sa pinaka the best ‘to. Mababaon ko ‘to habangbuhay, tapos in front of my kids,” said the newly crowned eight-time PBA champion and three-time Finals MVP.
Justin Brownlee also continued his legendary run, finishing with 30 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block for the Gin Kings, who rode a second-half rally to overcome a nine-point deficit.
Also making their presence felt were RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario, who each scored 13 points, while Nards Pinto drained crucial three-pointers to finish with six and help Ginebra seal the victory in the endgame.
Rosario added seven rebounds, two steals and an assist, while Abarrientos chipped in five assists and four rebounds.
And when TNT threatened to rally, Abarrientos and Pinto answered the call.
With Ginebra holding only a three-point lead, Pinto knocked down a much-needed triple with 3:04 remaining to stretch the advantage to 80-74.
Chris McCullough, however, kept TNT’s hopes alive with a basket on the ensuing possession, but Abarrientos answered with a three-pointer on the other end to put Ginebra ahead, 83-76, with just two minutes remaining.
McCullough and Roger Pogoy then missed their ensuing attempts, while Thompson pushed Ginebra’s lead to 10, 86-76, off a Stephen Holt offensive board after Brownlee split his free throws on the previous possession.
Rey Nambatac then missed on his four-point attempt, paving the way for Rosario to seal the championship with a two-handed jam to the delight of the pro-Ginebra crowd at MOA.
Third-quarter NSD
Before Ginebra seized control in the fourth quarter, the Gin Kings relied on a balanced ‘Never Say Die’-attack to erase TNT’s 49-40 lead.
Brownlee jumpstarted the rally with four straight points, trimming the deficit to 49-44 with still 9:33 left in the third period.
Jordan Heading looked to halt the momentum with a three-pointer, but Abarrientos answered with four straight points of his own to pull Ginebra within four, 52-48.
Abarrientos and Rosario then took turns carrying the offense, but it was Thompson’s five-point spurt with 1:26 remaining that finally put Ginebra ahead, 66-63.
Brownlee added another basket with 51 seconds left to extend the lead to five and put the Gin Kings in prime position heading into the fourth quarter.
Eventually, the Gin Kings prevailed, not only dethroning the Tropang 5G but also denying TNT its shot at history, as Chot Reyes’ wards were poised to become the first eighth-seeded team to win a PBA title.
Though unsuccessful, TNT still had its share of heroes.
McCullough finished with 28 points and 22 rebounds but lost steam in the second half while dealing with foul trouble.
Heading added 21 points, Pogoy chipped in 15, while Calvin Oftana contributed five points, three rebounds, and three assists despite nursing injuries of his own.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser went scoreless, but he still logged nine minutes despite struggling with ankle issues. (ABS-CBN News)