In a high-stakes Game 3 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings rallied behind star Justin Brownlee and a solid supporting cast to defeat the TNT Tropang Giga, 85-73, on Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
This victory allowed the Gin Kings to recover from two consecutive losses in the best-of-seven series.
Brownlee led the charge with a strong performance, recording 18 points and 13 rebounds. But he wasn’t alone in his efforts—teammates Maverick Ahanmisi, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and Stephen Holt all stepped up to deliver a balanced attack that secured their first win in the finals against Tropang Giga.
With 6:39 remaining, Brownlee drained a crucial three-pointer that gave Ginebra a 71-67 advantage. From there, the Gin Kings managed to build a 14-point lead by the final minute, putting TNT at arm’s length for the rest of the game.
Ahanmisi was instrumental, contributing 16 points, including eight in the final quarter. His efforts included four pivotal points in the last six minutes, helping Ginebra mount a decisive run. Thompson added 15 points, with a critical layup in the final 2:59 pushing the Gin Kings’ lead to 75-67. Aguilar and Holt each scored 10 points, adding depth to the team’s offense.
“We certainly played a lot better defense, especially compared to our quarterfinals against San Miguel Beermen,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. The Gin Kings held TNT below their average of 91 points per game, a testament to their improved focus and defensive intensity.
Reflecting on their performance, Cone noted, “We got really worn out and not as focused as we should be in the first two games. Those losses were a wake-up call for us.”
With this win, Ginebra will aim to tie the series in Game 4 on Sunday, building on the momentum of their impressive Game 3 victory.
