Barangay Ginebra back as PBA champion

The results:
Game 1– Ginebra 102, TNT 100.
Game 2– TNT 101, Ginebra 94.
Game 3 — Ginebra 116, TNT 102.
Game 4 — TNT 106-, Ginebra 98.
Game 5 — Ginebra 100, TNT 95.
Game 6 — TNT 98, Ginebra 90.
Game 7 — Ginebra 88, TNT 76.
(Ginebra wins best-of-seven series, 4-3).

LONG live the Gin Kings.

Barangay Ginebra completed its long-awaited return to the top after crushing TNT Tropang 5G, 88-76, in their winner-take-all Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

With a record-breaking crowd of 24,617 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay Ciy, the Gin Kings ended a three-year championship drought and reclaimed the title they last won in 2023.

The Kings drew inspiration from the deafening support of their faithful to delivered a dominant second-half performance against the Tropang 5G and finally put an end to years of heartbreaks and disappointments. 

It was Ginebra’s first title since defeating the Hong Kong-based Bay Area Dragons, 114-99m before a record 54,589-strong crowd at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, back in January 2023. 

Once again, Justin Brownlee delivered when it mattered most as the veteran import dominated with 30 points on an efficient 13-of-24 shooting performance., 14 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block

“These beautiful fans, they gave us the energy to go out there and win,” said Brownlee, who also scored 54 and 52 points in earlier games in the series.

“We were down and TNT gave us a battle. But as coach Tim kept telling us, ‘this is our time,” added Brownlee, who bagged his seventh PBA championship.

“Ten years ago I would never have thought I’d be still playing at 38 years old and winning championships. But these fans, they give me the energy to go out there play for them, play for my family and give my best.”

Scottie Thompson nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals as he orchestrated Ginebra’s attack on both ends of the floor.

Thompson was later voted as the PBA FInals MVP by the PBA Press Corps.

RJ Abarrientos added 13 points to win his first PBA title.

Troy Rosario also finished with 13 points.

Import Chris McCullough carried TNT in a losing effort with a massive double-double of 28 points and 22 rebounds, while adding three assists, one block and one steal.

Jordan Heading added 21 points, but Ginebra’s relentless defense neutralized him in the final period as he was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Heading added 21 points and RR Pogoy contributed 15 points for the Tropang 5G, who led 47-40 at halftime

The defeat also shattered TNT’s dream of becoming the first eighth-seeded team in the PBA history to win a championship, while Ginebra once again proved why the Kings remain one of the league’s most dominant and beloved franchises. 

After a tightly contested first half, Ginebra turned the game around with its suffocating defense, holding TNT to just 29 points over the final two quarters to seize control of the championship decider.

The Tropang 5G still had a chance to turn things around after cutting the deficit to 74-77 with still 5:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Ginebra refused to surrender its grip on the crown.

The Gin Kings responded with a devastating 11-2 finisng kick and completely shut down TNT’s offense, holding the Tropang 5G scoreless in the final 2:26 to seal the championship.

The scores:

Ginebra (88) — Brownlee 30, Thompson 19, Abarrientos 13, Rosario 13, J. Aguilar 7, Pinto 6, Gray 0, Holt 0, Cu 0.

TNT (76) — McCullough 28, Heading 21, Pogoy 15, Oftana 5, Aurin 4, Nambatac 3, Galinato 0, Khobuntin 0, Williams 0.

Quarterscores: 18-16, 40-47, 68-63, 88-76