Here are the players who made the biggest impact on June 3 and the stats to prove it.
TOP PERFORMERS OF THE DAY:
Christopher Albert McCullough TNT C 25 PTS | 14 REB | 4 AST | 45.8 FPS
Despite missing all of his shots from long range and coming up empty on the defensive stats, McCullough still had an impressive performance in Game 1, leading all players in both scoring and rebounding.
Rhon Jay Abarrientos GIN PG 24 PTS | 7 AST | 2 STL | 41.1 FPS
This conference, Abarrientos has emerged as the league’s No. 1 player in scoring, three-pointers made, and free-throw percentage, all of which were on full display in this game. He was red-hot offensively, shooting 3-for-7 from three-point range and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line to finish as the leading local scorer. His impact was felt most in the fourth quarter, where he scored 10 points which includes two clutch four-point shots.
Justin Brownlee GIN SF 23 PTS | 4 REB | 8 AST | 37.8 FPS
Given how well he has played in the conference, this was a relatively modest stat line for the superstar import, as he posted playoff-lows in both scoring and rebounding. But he more than made up for it with his playmaking, leading all players in assists. He also once again rose to the moment, knocking down a contested two-point shot in the clutch to lift his team to victory. Brownlee will only be more dangerous in the games ahead.
Earl Scottie Thompson GIN SF 15 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST | 36.0 FPS
Thompson continues to do what he does best, making significant contributions across the stat sheet. Still, he stands out most on the offensive end, where he shot 3-for-5 from three-point range and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. His scoring production will certainly be even more crucial going forward.
Jeth Troy Rosario GIN PF 16 PTS | 9 REB | 4 AST | 30.8 FPS
Rosario came through in a major way in Game 1, posting his best game of the playoffs. In scoring, he matched his playoff high with an efficient 7-for-12 shooting from the field. He was just as impressive in other areas, finishing with a team-high in rebounds while also posting a conference-best in assists.
Roger Ray Pogoy TNT SF 22 PTS | 4 REB | 1 BLK | 30.3 FPS
In the early part of the playoffs, Pogoy has been an offensive force, averaging 21 points through four games, and he returned to that form in Game 1. He was absolutely lethal from all areas of the floor, especially from deep, where he knocked down 3 of 7 attempts, including the shot that tied the game. TNT will certainly need more performances like this from him throughout the series.
Rey Benedict Nambatac TNT PG 19 PTS | 3 REB | 3 AST | 27.1 FPS
Even though he struggled offensively for much of the conference, Nambatac delivered when it mattered the most. He completely took over in Game 1, scoring nine crucial points in the fourth quarter to help his team take the lead and finished 6-for-11 from the field to set a new conference-high in scoring.
Brandon Arnell Ganuelas-Rosser TNT PF 12 PTS | 7 REB | 4 AST | 25.4 FPS
It was a near perfect performance from BGR. Offensively, he was locked in, shooting 5-for-6 from the field while also setting a new conference-high in assists. He was equally impressive on the boards, leading all players with four offensive rebounds.
Louis Raphael Cu GIN SF 9 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST | 21.3 FPS
Three-point shooting was a major factor in the Kings’ Game 1 win, and Cu played a huge role by knocking down three of his six attempts. Throughout the conference, he was their most effective shooter, hitting 48.9% from three-point range, and that will be huge for Ginebra in this series.
Jordan Timothy Heading TNT SG 5 PTS | 3 AST | 2 STL | 17.1 FPS
Heading was a game-changer in their semifinals win over Meralco. Over the final three games of that series, he averaged 22.3 points and 4.0 three-pointers while shooting 11-for-13 from the free-throw line. Although he was far from that level in Game 1, he still made a big impact, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he helped spark the comeback.
Calvin Oftana TNT SG 12 PTS | 6 REB | 3 TO | 16.2 FPS
Though Oftana turned in another subpar performance, he still made a significant impact overall. Offensively, he shot well from all levels and grabbed three offensive rebounds. Despite not being at his best due to a foot infection, he continues to be a positive presence when he’s on the floor.
Japeth Aguilar GIN C 7 PTS | 3 REB | 1 AST | 11.1 FPS
The Kings’ center was inserted into the starting lineup for Game 1. While he couldn’t take full advantage, he was still effective, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 on two-pointers and also making an impact on other areas. Still, Aguilar should be poised for a bigger performance in the games ahead.
Jeremiah Gray GIN SG 6 PTS | 1 REB | 1 BLK | 9.2 FPS
The shooting guard provided plenty of positives in Game 1, knocking down 2-for-2 from the three-point area while also contributing on the defensive end. The team will definitely need more of these performances from him moving forward.
Glenn Khobuntin TNT PF 5 PTS | 1 3PM | 5.0 FPS
Despite seeing limited minutes in recent games, Khobuntin remains a player to watch. As he did in Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals last season, his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor could make a big difference in this series.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE DAY:
Stephen Holt GIN SG 2 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 9.9 FPS
Offensively, things just aren’t clicking right now for Holt. Following a stretch of subpar performances, he hit rock bottom in Game 1, shooting 0-for-3 from the field in his worst scoring output of the conference. Even so, he will continue to be an important asset in this series with his defense.
