And so it begins.
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT Tropang Giga are about to unfold tonight, with Game 1 set at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena at 7:30 p.m. This will be the third time these two storied franchises will meet for the title in two years.
With one team looking to go 3-0 and the other aiming for revenge, this PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals might very well end up with the two best words in sports: Game 7. But that’s looking too far ahead into the future already. At the moment, let’s focus on the here and now first and look at four burning questions that will likely shape this series—and, in the process, determine who will come out on top.
1. Can Justin Brownlee break through?
It’s unfathomable to say that another import has the edge over Justin Brownlee. But that’s the case in this PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. RHJ has been statistically superior to JB in recent games and outplayed the Gilas mainstay in last conference’s Finals, averaging 25.8 points, 12 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 block to Brownlee’s 16.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.8 steal, and 0.7 block.
This conference, Brownlee is averaging career-lows of 23.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.9 block on 34.9% shooting from downtown, while RHJ is putting up 28.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.8 blocks.
That simply won’t cut it for Ginebra, whose universe revolves around the brilliance of Brownlee. He’ll need to be at his best if the crowd darlings want to exact revenge on TNT and RHJ.
2. Is Rey Nambatac ready for his shining moment?
Rey Nambatac previously admitted he felt immense pressure when Jayson Castro went down with a knee injury in Game 2 of TNT’s semis series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. The 2-point outing he submitted the very next game underscored how much the bright lights got to the 31-year-old.
That’s understandable. Castro’s shoes are gigantic and nearly impossible to fill (unless you’re the caliber of a Mikey Williams). But Nambatac recovered nicely, putting up 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in the final two games of that series—both of which TNT won.
Nambatac doesn’t need to be Castro-esque in this PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, but he does need to be productive if TNT wants to beat Ginebra for a third time.
3. Could Jamie Malonzo and Troy Rosario be the difference?
Tim Cone said the biggest difference with this Ginebra team is the added depth and length it has with the addition of Troy Rosario and Jamie Malonzo. And he is right. Both Rosario and Malonzo have played well, with the former averaging 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds and the latter putting up 11.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in his return to action.
Malonzo, in particular, has been on quite a tear as he averaged 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in Ginebra’s four wins against the NorthPort Batang Pier in their semis showdown. Perhaps more impressive, he converted 13 of his 20 three-point attempts in those four wins and went 4-for-5 from distance in each of Games 3 and 5.
In the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, he and Rosario will be counted on to provide additional firepower, especially if Brownlee continues to struggle against TNT. They’ll also be among several defenders who will be tasked to slow down RHJ. If they can do both, Ginebra could be looking at a title.
4. Are TNT’s gunners up to the task?
The three-point shot has been the great equalizer in today’s game, and that’s no different in the PBA. Ginebra has used it to great effect so far—and so has TNT, albeit to a lesser degree. The Tropa have been especially good at making triples when they count the most, like in the fourth quarter of a close game or down the stretch with the game hanging in the balance.
RHJ has helped out in this area, shooting a PBA career-best 37.3% and making 1.7 triples a game so far this conference. Despite Hollis-Jefferson emerging as a solid three-point threat, the task of hitting those treys ultimately rest on RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana—and even to Kim Aurin and Nambatac as well. Oftana, in particular, has been lights out, having already made 60 of 134 triples in 18 games.
Oftana and the rest of TNT’s local snipers will need to shoot well from downtown, especially with Ginebra holding opponents to a league-best 94.0 per game (a hair better than TNT’s 94.7 OPPG). In some ways, the Tropa’s chances on besting the crowd favorites in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals might very well hinge on their downtown sniping.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals: When and Where
Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals is tonight at the MOA Arena. Game time is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Game 2 will take place in the same venue on Sunday, March 16, also at 7:30 p.m.
Game 3 will be on March 19 at the PhilSports Arena, while Game 4 will be played at the Ynares Center on March 21. Games 5 to 7, if necessary, are scheduled at the Smart Araneta Coliseum following the PBA’s usual play dates.
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on free TV by RPTV.
