Ginebra scuttles TNT, cops PBA Comm’s Cup title

Sports

BARANGAY Ginebra ended a string of misfortunes at the hands of TNT as the Kings outplayed the Tropa, 88-76, in their winner-take-all Game 7 of the 50th PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Wednesday night, June 17, at the packed Mall of Asia Arena.

The Kings dethroned the Tropa in front of a massive 24,617 spectators, banking on a strong finishing kick to win the series, 4-2.

Ginebra, thus, won its first title since 2023 and avenged its three straight championship losses to TNT.

The two squads met in the Finals of last season’s Commissioner’s Cup and in the Season 47 and Season 49 Governors’ Cup. TNT won all three championship encounters.

Behind its resident import Justin Brownlee, Ginebra changed the storyline.

The veteran Brownlee masterminded a Ginebra second-half onslaught by unloading 16 of his 30 points in the final two quarters that enabled the Kings to erase a 40-47 halftime deficit.

The 38-year-old Brownlee also had 14 rebounds as he sealed his seventh PBA championship.

Scottie Thompson had a near triple-double performance after tossing in 19 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists on his way to winning the Finals MVP award.

RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario added 13 points each.

Import Chris McCullough fired 28 points to lead TNT. Jordan Heading added 21 markers while RR Pogoy had 15.

THE SCORES

GINEBRA (88) — Brownlee 30, Thompson 19, Abarrientos 13, Rosario 13, J. Aguilar 7, Pinto 6, Gray 0, Holt 0, Cu 0.

TNT (76) — McCullough 28, Heading 21, Pogoy 15, Oftana 5, Aurin 4, Nambatac 3, Galinato 0, Khobuntin 0, Williams 0.QUARTERSCORES: 18-16, 40-47, 68-63, 88-76.(CCM)