TNT forces Game 7 in PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals

Sports

IMPORTS Chris McCullough and Justin Brownlee figured in a classic offensive duel that saw the log 50-point performances.

Good thing for McCullough, he got more help from his teammates.

McCullough erupted for 53 points and pumped in crucial baskets down the stretch as the TNT Tropang 5G kept their title-retention bid alive by topping the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 98-90, in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night, June 14, at the Araneta Coliseum.

McCullough’s heroics enabled the Tropa to force a Game 7 that will be played on Wednesday, June 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With TNT tying the series at three games apiece, the trend of alternating wins continued in what turned out to be an epic championship series.

TNT played without Brandon Granuelas-Rosser and Calvin Oftana while Jayson Castro left late in the game after hurting his ankle. Still, the Tropa showed great resolve and even led by as many as 10 points.

Determined to close out the series, Ginebra fought back in the fourth period, using a 13-3 attack to surge ahead, 13-3.

McCullough took over, hitting a pair of triples and downing a booming four-pointer that gave TNT a 94-86 lead with only 1:52 left, practically sealing the outcome of the contest.

After a 54-point eruption in Game 5, Brownlee stayed hot and tallied 52 points.

However, Brownlee got no help as no Ginebra locals scored in double figures. RJ Abarrientos managed just six points and former MVP Scottie Thompson only had tnree.

In contrast, local support was not a problem for McCullough with Jordan Heading firing 19 and RR Pogoy scattering 13.

THE SCORE:

TNT (98)- McCullough 53, Heading 19, Pogoy 13, Castro 3, Nambatac 3, Khobuntin 3, Galinato 2, Williams 2, Aurin 0.

GINEBRA (90)- Brownlee 52, Rosario 9, J. Aguilar 8, Abarrientos 6, Holt 5, Pinto 5, Thompson 3, Abis 2, Gray 0, Cu 0.QUARTERSCORES: 17-16, 45-43, 75-67, 98-90.(CCM)