MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings relied on another endgame surge to defeat TNT Tropang Giga, 73-66, in Game 5 of the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Down 65-66 after two free throws by Tropang Giga’s Rey Nambatac with over four minutes left, Earl Scottie Thompson responded with back-to-back inside baskets to give the Gin Kings a 69-66 lead.
Justin Brownlee also made his share as he scored on a layup to make it 71-66 with 2:23 minute remaining before connecting another basket with 50 seconds left to seal the come-from-behind win.
Brownlee, who is nursing an ulnar collateral ligament tear injury on his right thumb, finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and a steal as the Gin Kings took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
Thompson added 16 markers, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi contributed 11 apiece for the Gin Kings, which will aim for their 16th PBA title overall in Game 6 on Wednesday night.
“We played the first half like we are in the second gear, while they’re in the fourth gear and we knew that we have to step it up in the second half to a higher gear to have a chance,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone after the game.
“We all knew that Justin was struggling more with his hand today than in the last game, and I think everybody has to learn how to step up,” he added. “Even if Justin made some big shots down the stretch, it is the inspiration of Scottie that turned the tide for us.”
The Tropang Giga were on fire in the opening half as they led by as many as 10 points at 45-35 before the Gin Kings slowly clawed their way back and took a slim 57-56 lead on a third-quarter buzzer-beating basket by Brownlee.
It was a seesaw affair for both teams in the first six minutes of the final quarter with the Tropang Giga taking the lead for the last time at 66-65 after two free throws by Nambatac with 4:25 remaining.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson finished with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Nambatac contributed 19 markers for the Tropang Giga./PN
BOX SCORE:
GINEBRA 73 – Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, Ahanmisi 11, J. Aguilar 11, Malonzo 6, Rosario 6, Holt 3, Abarrientos 2, Tenorio 0.
TNT 66 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Oftana 8, Aurin 8, Pogoy 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, K. Williams 0, Khobuntin 0, Exciminiano 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66.
