TNT weathers Ginebra’s comeback storm to tie PBA finals at 1-1

MANILA, Philippines – TNT avoided a colossal collapse and leveled the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at 1-1 after escaping with a 101-94 win over Barangay Ginebra at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, June 5.

Comfortably ahead by as many as 21 points, the Tropang 5G saw their lead cut to a single possession with a minute remaining but ultimately held on as they rebounded from a narrow 102-100 loss in the best-of-seven series opener two days prior.

Star forward Calvin Oftana showed the way for TNT with a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds, including two crucial free throws with 18 seconds to play that gave the Tropang 5G a 100-94 lead and doused cold water on the Gin Kings’ fightback. 

“We knew Ginebra would come back because of their never-say-die spirit. I’m happy for the team that we overcame that run by Ginebra,” said Oftana in Filipino. 

TNT mounted its biggest lead at 87-66 off a Rey Nambatac four-pointer early in the fourth quarter before Ginebra slowly worked its way back into the game behind the contributions of second-string players Isaac Go, Jeremiah Gray, and John Abis.

Go and Gray combined for a 12-3 run that trimmed the Gin Kings’ deficit to 78-90, while Abis scored on a tough layup that pulled Ginebra within 92-98. 

A Justin Brownlee bucket brought the Gin Kings within a single possession at 94-98, but that was the closest they got as Oftana — who enjoyed an efficient shooting game, going 11-of-18 from the field, 5-of-10 from three-point range, and 4-of-4 from the free throw line — iced the win for the Tropang 5G.

Import Chris McCullough backstopped Oftana with 19 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals, while Jordan Heading chimed in 14 points and 5 assists. 

Brownlee, who hit the game-winning jump shot in Game 1, produced 24 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals for Ginebra, although he failed to make a shot from long distance, missing a four-pointer with under 20 seconds left that signaled the end of the Gin Kings’ comeback.

RJ Abarrientos had 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the losing effort. 

The Scores

TNT 101 – Oftana 31, McCullough 19, Heading 14, Pogoy 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Nambatac 10, Castro 5, Williams 2, Khobuntin 0, Aurin 0.

Barangay Ginebra 94 – Brownlee 24, Abarrientos 21, Gray 13, Go 10, Thompson 8, Rosario 6, Torres 5, Abis 4, Cu 2, Holt 1, J.Aguilar 0, Pinto 0.

Quarters: 27-12, 48-33, 78-59, 101-94.

– Rappler.com