And we have a series.
Reeling from two consecutive defeats to start the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel finally got on the board on Friday night, beating the TNT Tropang Giga, 85-73, before a good-sized crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Perhaps looking to inject some life into Ginebra, Tim Cone unveiled his biggest surprise right at the opening tip, starting LA Tenorio in place of usual starter Maverick Ahanmisi. And The Gineral responded, scoring six points in the first and steadying the ship for the crowd darlings, who took a slim 20-19 lead after one.
The game’s tenor was much of the same in the middle quarters and in the first six minutes of the payoff period, as Ginebra and TNT went toe-to-toe in a low-scoring, grind-it-out championship game.
Justin Brownlee, Maverick Ahanmisi Close the Show for Ginebra
Game 3 looked headed down the wire, with Ginebra holding a precarious 68-67 advantage with under seven minutes left. But the Barangay finished strong, outscoring TNT 17-5 in the endgame thanks to Justin Brownlee and Ahanmisi hitting timely baskets and a defense that stood its ground.
Notably, Brownlee hit his first trey of this championship series at the 6:38 mark to push the Ginebra lead to 71-67. A jumper by Ahanmisi and a lay-in by Scottie Thompson a couple of minutes later gave the crowd darlings a 75-67 cushion heading into the final two minutes. Brownlee also made crucial stops, first stripping TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and then blocking a three-point attempt by Calvin Oftana.
Kabayan once again struggled from the field (8-for-17) but paced Ginebra nonetheless with 18 points, 13 boards, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. Ahanmisi chipped in 16 points and 8 caroms, while Thompson added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Tenorio finished with 9 points and 4 steals in 16 minutes of play.
Hollis-Jefferson led the charge for TNT, putting up 24 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals in another no-relief effort.
The pivotal Game 4 will be on Sunday, also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
- GINEBRA 85 – Brownlee 18, Ahanmisi 16, Thompson 15, J.Aguilar 10, Holt 10, Tenorio 9, Cu 3, Abarrientos 2, Devance 2
- TNT 73 – Hollis-Jefferson 24, Erram 12, Castro 10, Pogoy 10, Oftana 9, Khobuntin 4, Nambatac 2, Williams 2, Aurin 2
