In a game where every possession counted and each defensive stand felt like a championship moment, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings found a way to dig deep, hold their ground, and come out on top.
Fueled by relentless defense and the clutch heroics of Justin Brownlee, the Gin Kings edged past TNT Tropang Giga in a nerve-wracking 71-70 victory last night at the Mall of Asia Arena, tying the 49th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) best-of-seven finals at 1-1.
It wasn’t just the scoreboard that told the story—it was the way Ginebra stood tall in the face of a furious TNT rally, particularly in the dying moments when the game hung in the balance. With just 32 seconds left and Ginebra clinging to a razor-thin one-point lead, TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson—known for his clutch play—attempted to seize the moment. But the Gin Kings had other plans.
Stephen Holt and Jamie Malonzo locked in, clamping down on Hollis-Jefferson, denying him space and forcing a crucial shot clock violation that sealed TNT’s fate.
“Tonight, it was definitely our defense,” said Brownlee, who once again proved why he’s one of the PBA’s most reliable big-game performers. “I gotta give credit to my teammates Stephen (Holt) and Jamie (Malonzo). They did an incredible job. But it was also our defense as a team.”
Brownlee led the charge with a commanding 35 points and 11 rebounds, but it was his pivotal defensive deflection with just under a minute left that may have defined the night. With Hollis-Jefferson looking to extend TNT’s lead, Brownlee intervened, disrupting a potential momentum-shifting play.
Earlier, it was Roger Pogoy who ignited TNT’s fourth-quarter comeback, draining a crucial three-pointer at the 3:56 mark to give Tropang Giga their first lead of the period. TNT clawed back from a seven-point deficit in the final quarter, with Hollis-Jefferson converting two free throws with 2:31 remaining to put them ahead, 70-67.
But the Gin Kings remained unshaken. Brownlee responded with a split from the line and a jumper in the final seconds of the first quarter that helped establish early control. His efforts, combined with Scottie Thompson’s 16 points and timely penetrations during a key 7-0 run, saw Ginebra enjoy a 32-19 lead at halftime.
Thompson’s three-pointer with 12 seconds left in the third helped maintain Ginebra’s cushion at 54-45 heading into the final quarter. However, as expected in a clash between two titans, TNT refused to fold.
Despite falling short, TNT’s Hollis-Jefferson put up 25 points, while Pogoy and Rey Nambatac added 14 and 11, respectively. Their Game 1 triumph—a 95-89 win—had given them early momentum, but Game 2 showcased Ginebra’s ability to adapt and deliver in crunch time.
As the series heads into a pivotal Game 3, the narrative has become clear: it’s not just about offensive fireworks but the battles fought on the defensive end. For Ginebra, last night’s win wasn’t just a response—it was a statement.
The chess match continues, and if Game 2 is any indication, fans are in for a gritty, high-stakes series that could go the distance.