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Tag: PBA Finals

  • Game 7 draws record crowd as Ginebra-TNT finals sets new MOA Arena attendance mark 

    Game 7 draws record crowd as Ginebra-TNT finals sets new MOA Arena attendance mark 

    Before a champion could be crowned, Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals had already secured a place in league history.

     

    The championship showdown between Barangay Ginebra and TNT attracted 24,617 spectators at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, establishing a new all-time PBA attendance record for the venue and underscoring the enduring appeal of one of the league’s biggest rivalries.

     

    The figure eclipsed the previous mark of 23,616, which was set during Game 7 of the 2015-16 Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel Beer and Alaska.

     

    That contest has long been remembered as the “Beer-acle,” the night San Miguel completed a stunning comeback from a 0-3 series deficit to capture the championship.

     

    A decade later, another winner-take-all battle delivered a historic crowd of its own.

     

    Long before the opening tip, thousands of fans streamed into the Pasay arena, turning the championship decider into one of the most anticipated PBA games in recent memory. 

     

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    The matchup featured two of the league’s most recognizable franchises, with Ginebra chasing another title and TNT looking to defend its crown.

     

    The record turnout reflected more than just the stakes of a Game 7.

     

    It highlighted the continued drawing power of Philippine basketball, particularly when the league’s biggest teams meet on the grandest stage. Fans packed nearly every available seat inside the arena, creating an atmosphere worthy of a championship finale.

     

    While the final result would determine who lifted the trophy, the crowd itself had already become part of the story.

     

    By breaking a record that had survived for nearly ten years, the Ginebra-TNT title decider added another memorable chapter to the PBA’s long history of blockbuster Finals matchups and reaffirmed that, when everything is on the line, fans will always show up for the biggest games.

     

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  • Scottie Thompson turns grit into gold, claims third Finals MVP after Ginebra’s Championship run 

    Scottie Thompson turns grit into gold, claims third Finals MVP after Ginebra’s Championship run 

    Scottie Thompson did not dominate the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals with eye-popping scoring totals or flashy stat lines every night. Instead, he did it the way he has built his entire career — by showing up, fighting through pain, and making winning plays when they mattered most.

     

    On a night when Barangay Ginebra completed its championship mission, Thompson’s fingerprints were all over the deciding Game 7 victory.

     

    Battling a nagging hamstring injury that limited him throughout the series, the veteran guard produced one of his most complete performances of the conference, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to help the Gin Kings defeat TNT, 88-76, before a record crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    The performance not only secured another title for Ginebra but also earned Thompson the Ramon Fernandez Finals MVP award, his third Finals MVP recognition after previous triumphs in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup and the 2021 Governors’ Cup.

     

    What made this latest honor stand out was the adversity surrounding it.

     

    Unlike previous championship runs where Thompson entered the Finals at full strength, this time he had to manage an injury while matching up against a deep and determined TNT squad in a series that stretched the distance.

     

    Rather than forcing the issue, Thompson focused on impacting the game in every possible way — rebounding, facilitating, defending, and providing leadership for a Ginebra team that leaned heavily on its veterans throughout the seven-game battle.

     

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    By the end of the series, his all-around contributions proved impossible to ignore.

     

    Thompson averaged 10.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals across the Finals, numbers that reflected his versatility and importance to the champions.

     

    The one-time league MVP admitted afterward that the recognition came as a surprise.

     

    “It was an unexpected” one.

     

    His consistency throughout the series helped him edge out teammates Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos in the voting conducted by the PBA Press Corps for the award named after four-time MVP and league legend Ramon Fernandez.

     

    For Thompson, however, the trophy may be less about individual accomplishment and more about validation.

     

    In a Finals defined by pressure, injuries, and momentum swings, he once again proved why he remains one of the most trusted players in the league — not because he demands the spotlight, but because he finds a way to deliver when the championship is on the line.

     

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  • “We’ve Been Here Before”: Chot Reyes, TNT embrace another winner-take-all Finals battle 

    “We’ve Been Here Before”: Chot Reyes, TNT embrace another winner-take-all Finals battle 

    TNT entered Game 6 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals with a simple message: the series would require a full 96-minute effort to overcome Barangay Ginebra.

     

    The number was written on a whiteboard inside the Tropang 5G dugout before Sunday’s game, representing the combined duration of Games 6 and 7 should TNT force a deciding match.

     

    After securing a 98-90 victory and tying the series at 3-3, TNT is now halfway through that goal and will look to complete the job in Game 7 on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    “If we really focus on playing defense, then we can stop this team,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “In our board (before Game 6), we put 96 minutes. We put the No. 96 encircled with a heart. We said let’s play the best 96 minutes of our lives.”

     

    “And now, all we’ve done is get through the first half, and find a way to get ready for the second half on Wednesday,” said Reyes.

     

    The Tropang 5G are familiar with this situation after also defeating Ginebra in a seven-game Commissioner’s Cup Finals series last season. TNT won the last two games of that championship matchup, including an overtime victory in Game 7.

     

    Reyes said the team has maintained the same mindset throughout the current series.

     

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    “We talked about it from the start. We are here for the long game. And now, we are in long game territory. We are just grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to try one more time,” said Reyes.

     

    TNT bounced back from a difficult Game 5 loss, where Ginebra escaped with a 100-95 overtime win behind Justin Brownlee’s 54-point performance.

     

    Despite the setback, Reyes reminded his players that they had previously been in similar situations.

     

    “Obviously, we were pretty down in the dugout but I reminded them in the dugout, we’ve been here before. We know how to do this. And my only message is to clear your minds, clear your hearts, and put their best foot forward,” said Reyes.

     

    “Whatever happens, happens. But like I said, we are prepared for 96 minutes. Now, there’s another 48 to be played,” Reyes added.

     

    Game 7 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a large crowd expected as TNT and Ginebra battle for the Commissioner’s Cup championship.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee welcomes challenge of going shot-for-shot with Chris McCullough in PBA Finals duel  

    Justin Brownlee welcomes challenge of going shot-for-shot with Chris McCullough in PBA Finals duel  

    For one night, the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals stopped being about TNT and Barangay Ginebra.

     

    It became a two-man stage.

     

    Every possession seemed to orbit around Chris McCullough and Justin Brownlee, two imports unwilling to let their seasons end without a fight. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read TNT 98, Ginebra 90—but the lasting memory was a heavyweight exchange rarely seen in Philippine basketball.

     

    McCullough delivered the game of his life with a career-best 53 points and 22 rebounds. Brownlee answered with 52 points, coming just days after erupting for a personal-best 54 in Game 5.

     

    The result ensured that one of the most dramatic Finals series in recent memory will need a seventh game to settle it.

     

    While the box score will forever show TNT as the winner, Game 6 felt more like a battle of endurance between two stars determined to carry everything on their shoulders.

     

    Every time McCullough landed a punch, Brownlee fired one right back.

     

    Every run was met with a response.

     

    Every momentum swing was challenged.

     

    The duel reached its peak in the closing minutes when the pressure became unbearable and the margin for error disappeared.

     

    That was when McCullough transformed from scorer to closer.

     

    With the game hanging in the balance, the TNT import scored 16 of the team’s final 20 points, repeatedly finding answers whenever Ginebra threatened to make one last charge.

     

    Yet Brownlee refused to surrender.

     

    The resident Ginebra star scored the Kings’ final 15 points, keeping the crowd hopeful and the game alive long after it appeared TNT had seized control.

     

    More than a clash of teams, it became a test of who could stay standing longest.

     

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    McCullough ultimately won that round, helping TNT survive and extending the championship chase by at least one more game.

     

    Still, Brownlee left the floor with the same confidence that has defined his decorated PBA career.

     

    “I give a lot of credit to TNT. Chris McCullough had a big game. This is what the playoffs are made of,” Brownlee said afterwards.

     

    “In big games like this, you just got to step up for your team, and he did that very well,” he added. “I try to do my best as well.”

     

    Brownlee acknowledged that little has separated the two teams throughout the Finals, with every game seemingly decided by a handful of possessions.

     

    The six-game battle has been defined by momentum swings, clutch performances, and razor-thin margins—exactly the ingredients that create unforgettable championship series.

     

    “We didn’t expect it to be easy,” Brownlee said. “Two really good teams who really want to win.”

     

    “The series is not over, and I’m still very confident about that.”

     

    Now, after six games and one unforgettable scoring showdown, the Finals come down to a single night.

     

    One game.

     

    One champion.

     

    And after what McCullough and Brownlee just delivered, Game 7 suddenly feels less like a basketball game and more like the final chapter of a classic.

     

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  • After Justin Brownlee’s 54-point explosion, Ginebra stands one win from redemption 

    After Justin Brownlee’s 54-point explosion, Ginebra stands one win from redemption 

    One game can change the story of a championship series. For Barangay Ginebra, Game 5 may have done exactly that.

     

    What looked like a looming defeat suddenly transformed into one of the most memorable victories in franchise history, thanks to Justin Brownlee’s unforgettable 54-point explosion. Now, the Gin Kings head into Sunday’s Game 6 carrying more than just a 3-2 lead — they carry momentum, belief, and a chance to rewrite a painful chapter from a year ago.

     

    Standing in their way is a TNT squad determined to force one final showdown.

     

    The PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals return to the Smart Araneta Coliseum with everything at stake. A Ginebra victory delivers the championship. A TNT win sends the series to a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday.

     

    For Ginebra, the opportunity feels familiar. Perhaps too familiar.

     

    The Kings also held a 3-2 advantage over TNT in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals before watching the title slip away in the final two games. That collapse remains fresh in the minds of players, coaches, and fans alike.

     

    This time, they have no interest in letting history repeat itself.

     

    The biggest reason for that confidence wears No. 32.

     

    Brownlee authored one of the greatest Finals performances the league has ever seen on Independence Day, carrying Ginebra from the brink of defeat to a dramatic 100-95 overtime victory.

     

    The three-time Best Import looked like a man unwilling to lose.

     

    TNT appeared poised to seize control of the series. Chris McCullough dominated with 38 points and 16 rebounds, while Roger Pogoy chipped in 23. The Tropang 5G led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter and still held an 87-80 advantage with less than four minutes remaining.

     

    Then Brownlee took over.

     

    The veteran import ignited a personal scoring blitz that completely changed the game, erasing the deficit and pushing Ginebra ahead late in regulation. Even after TNT forced overtime, Brownlee remained relentless, scoring key baskets that finally buried the defending champions.

     

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    “I just wanted to be aggressive for my team,” said Brownlee, who also hauled down 14 rebounds. “TNT played very tough and very hard, but we just showed never-say-die tonight.”

     

    His 54 points set a new personal scoring record, surpassing the 51 he scored against San Miguel during last season’s Governors’ Cup eliminations.

     

    The performance instantly joined the short list of iconic Finals outings in PBA history.

     

    Yet for TNT, the bigger concern isn’t Brownlee’s scoring.

     

    It’s finding a way to survive another elimination game.

     

    Head coach Chot Reyes once again voiced frustration over the officiating after Game 5, pointing to the disparity in free throw attempts between the two teams.

     

    “Excellent officiating, 29-17, in the free throws, you can’t beat a strong Ginebra team like that,” Reyes said after emerging from the TNT dugout. “Kung gumanda lang ng kaunti ang tawagan, maybe a little more parity in free throws, maybe we could have a chance.”

     

    Reyes has repeatedly raised concerns throughout the series, but the defending champions know they cannot afford to dwell on missed opportunities.

     

    Their season now hangs by a thread.

     

    McCullough remains capable of taking over a game. Pogoy has delivered in big moments throughout the Finals. Calvin Oftana and the rest of TNT’s local core will be expected to provide the support necessary to extend the series.

     

    For Ginebra, meanwhile, the equation is simple.

     

    One more win.

     

    One more victory and the Kings complete their revenge mission, dethrone the defending champions, and erase the memories of last season’s heartbreak.

     

    The question now is whether Brownlee has one more masterpiece left — or if TNT can force a final act.

     

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  • Barangay Ginebra, TNT square off in Game 5 after series gets knotted at 2-2 

    Barangay Ginebra, TNT square off in Game 5 after series gets knotted at 2-2 

    With the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals now tied at 2-2, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT Tropang 5G shift into a decisive stretch as they clash in a pivotal Game 5 on Friday, June 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.


    The series has effectively turned into a virtual best-of-three after TNT leveled the matchup with a 106-98 victory in Game 4, halting Ginebra’s momentum and forcing a reset heading into the crucial fifth contest.

     

    TNT’s response in Game 4 was powered by Jordan Heading’s 29-point eruption and steady support from Jayson Castro, who added 14 points in a performance that underscored his continued value in high-pressure moments. 

     

    The win not only evened the series but also spoiled what could have been a celebration night for Ginebra’s individual awardees.

     

    The Tropang 5G successfully delayed the potential 3-1 deficit, flipping the narrative after a strong bounce-back showing that featured timely shot-making and control down the stretch.

    For Ginebra, the loss did not come without production from its stars. 

     

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    Justin Brownlee, fresh off receiving his fourth Best Import award, still delivered 32 points in Game 4, while Best Player of the Conference RJ Abarrientos contributed 21 markers in a balanced offensive effort that ultimately fell short.

     

    However, shooting efficiency proved to be the difference, as the Gin Kings struggled from deep, connecting on just five of 21 attempts from three-point range—an area they will need to improve heading into Game 5.

     

    Game 4 also stood out for its competitiveness, as neither team managed to establish a significant early separation. 

     

    That tightly contested flow ultimately played into TNT’s favor, with Heading’s scoring bursts and Castro’s composure helping stabilize the game in key stretches.

     

    From Ginebra’s perspective, the challenge now shifts toward rediscovering the consistency that has defined its Finals run, particularly in closing out possessions and generating cleaner perimeter looks.

     

    As the series moves forward, both squads enter Game 5 knowing the margin for error has effectively disappeared. 

     

    With momentum swinging back and forth, Friday night’s matchup is expected to further test adjustments, execution, and late-game decision-making from both championship contenders.

     

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  • TNT carries memories of Divine Adili, Rene Baterbonia in crucial Game four Finals victory 

    TNT carries memories of Divine Adili, Rene Baterbonia in crucial Game four Finals victory 

    For one night, the PBA Finals became about something bigger than momentum, adjustments, or the race to four wins.

     

    Before Jordan Heading discussed his game-high performance in TNT’s season-saving victory over Barangay Ginebra, he first turned his attention to two names that had weighed heavily on the basketball community throughout the week: Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.

     

    The reigning champions entered Game 4 carrying more than the pressure of a must-win situation. They also carried grief.

     

    “First of all, I want to take the time to give my love to the families of Rene and Divine,” Heading said after TNT’s 106-98 win Wednesday night at SMART Araneta Coliseum.

     

    “That played heavily on our minds, so I just wanna take the time and give love to their families.”

     

    The emotional tribute came after the Tropang 5G avoided falling into a dangerous 3-1 hole in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, leveling the series at two games apiece.

     

    Heading delivered one of his finest performances of the conference, finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, and eight assists to help keep TNT’s title defense alive.

     

    But inside the locker room, basketball was not the only thing on the players’ minds.

     

    The tragic deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Adili and Baterbonia during a team-building activity earlier in the week served as a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change.

     

    “Back to the game, it was a big game, and we needed to come out and win this, and that’s really it. We needed to win it,” Heading said.

     

    Yet even as the Tropang 5G battled for survival on the court, their thoughts often drifted elsewhere.

     

    For TNT head coach Chot Reyes, the tragedy felt especially personal.

     

    “Really glad that Jordan brought it up because he’s right, that was something we discussed also as a team yesterday,” Reyes said.

     

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    Unlike many who only knew Adili from afar, Reyes encountered the Ateneo center almost daily.

     

    Both TNT and Ateneo regularly train at the Moro Lorenzo Wellness and Sports Center, creating a familiarity that extended beyond basketball drills and practices.

     

    Over time, simple greetings became part of Reyes’ routine.

     

    Now, their absence is impossible to ignore.

     

    “We see those guys–well, not too much Rene, but Divine. The past two years, we’ve seen them almost every day because we practice in the same facility, we lift weights in the same gym,” Reyes said.

     

    “I don’t know if you saw my Instagram story yesterday, it was really surreal stepping into the Moro Lorenzo court and the gym without Divine’s ‘Good morning, Coach!’ greetings right there.”

     

    The victory allowed TNT to pull even in the championship series, but the emotions surrounding the game extended far beyond the final score.

     

    In a Finals often defined by pressure, rivalries, and championship stakes, Game 4 became a reminder of basketball’s deeper connections — the relationships built inside gyms, the familiar faces seen every day, and the people whose impact remains long after the final buzzer sounds.

     

    For TNT, the win kept a title defense alive.

     

    For Heading, Reyes, and the rest of the Tropang 5G, it was also a chance to honor two young lives that left an imprint on Philippine basketball far greater than any statistic.

     

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  • RJ Abarrientos says Stephen Holt’s emergence gives Ginebra another Finals weapon 

    RJ Abarrientos says Stephen Holt’s emergence gives Ginebra another Finals weapon 

    For most of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Stephen Holt’s contributions could not be measured by points.

     

    His defensive assignments, floor spacing, and ability to fit seamlessly into Barangay Ginebra’s system rarely showed up in the box score. Through the first two games against TNT, Holt managed just a single point, yet remained a fixture in coach Tim Cone’s rotation.

     

    That changed dramatically in Game 3.

     

    Holt erupted for 23 points and provided the early spark that helped Ginebra seize control en route to a convincing 116-102 victory, giving the Gin Kings a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

     

    For teammate RJ Abarrientos, the performance was less of a surprise and more of a reminder of what makes Ginebra dangerous.

     

    “Si Scuba, (Stephen Holt’s nickname in the team), isa sa mga beterano namin. Isa sa mga go-to-guy namin ‘yan,” said Abarrientos.

     

    “Ang nakikita lang kasi ng tao siyempre ‘yung mga stats eh. About Scuba, sa loob ng court, ang laking factor ‘yun sa amin. Kita niyo naman. Hindi kami pinahiya sa first quarter. Siya ‘yung spark plug, siya nag-start ng offense namin.

     

    “Dahan-dahan, nakuha na namin lahat ng tira namin. Sobrang nakita namin ‘yung Scuba na kailangan namin ngayong Game 3.”

     

    In many ways, Holt’s explosion reflected the identity Ginebra has embraced throughout the conference.

     

    Unlike teams that rely heavily on one or two scorers, the Gin Kings have built a roster where different players can carry the offense depending on the matchup and the flow of the game.

     

    Earlier in the Finals, Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, and Abarrientos himself all had moments where they shouldered the scoring load. Game 3 simply became Holt’s turn.

     

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    According to Abarrientos, it was only a matter of time.

     

    “Siya talaga ‘yung hinihintay namin. Nagsimula nung dumating sila sa Ginebra, sila ‘yung pinaka go-to namin. Hindi na kami nagulat na ganun ‘yung gagawin niya sa team,” said Abarrientos.

     

    The timing could not have been better.

     

    Facing a TNT squad determined to reclaim momentum after its Game 2 victory, Ginebra needed another offensive option to complement Brownlee and prevent the Tropang 5G defense from focusing on a single player.

     

    Holt delivered exactly that, helping the Kings build a massive early lead that ultimately proved too much for TNT to overcome.

     

    More importantly, his breakout reinforced what Abarrientos views as the team’s greatest advantage heading deeper into the Finals.

     

    “‘Yun ‘yung maganda sa sistema namin with Ginebra. Hindi mo alam kung sino ang iiskor sa amin. Hindi rin about sa stats eh. After the game, stats lagi ‘yung tinitignan. (Game 3) si Scuba, si Scottie, lahat kami, JB, kahit sino ilagay mo,” said Abarrientos.

     

    With Game 4 looming and TNT expected to make another round of adjustments, Ginebra enters the pivotal contest knowing it possesses something every championship contender covets: multiple players capable of becoming the difference-maker on any given night.

     

    In Game 3, that player happened to be Stephen Holt. The challenge for TNT now is figuring out who it will be next.

     

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  • PBA Finals: Barangay Ginebra vs TNT Tropang 5G — Game 4 preview and match predictions

    PBA Finals: Barangay Ginebra vs TNT Tropang 5G — Game 4 preview and match predictions

    With the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals reaching a critical stage, both Barangay Ginebra and TNT Tropang 5G enter Game 4 knowing the direction of the series could be decided by what happens Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Ginebra regained control of the championship showdown with a convincing 116-102 victory in Game 3, using a blistering start and relentless defensive pressure to build a lead that TNT never fully recovered from. The win gave the Gin Kings a 2-1 advantage, but history has prevented them from becoming too comfortable.

     

    Head coach Tim Cone has repeatedly stressed that a series is far from over at 2-1. The veteran tactician still remembers Ginebra’s painful collapse against TNT in last year’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals when the Gin Kings held a 3-2 lead before losing the final two games. Similar experiences against San Miguel in recent conferences have reinforced the message inside the Ginebra locker room: finish the job before celebrating.

     

    The Kings will once again lean on their battle-tested core led by Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, and Stephen Holt. Brownlee remains the steadying force of the team, while Abarrientos continues to strengthen his case for Best Player of the Conference after another solid Finals performance.

     

    On the other side, TNT enters Game 4 searching for answers after one of its most uneven outings of the series.

     

    Import Chris McCullough delivered his best performance since returning to the PBA, exploding for 44 points and 13 rebounds. Roger Pogoy added 28 points, but the defending champions received little production elsewhere.

     

    Much of the spotlight now falls on Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac, who were instrumental in TNT’s Game 2 victory but struggled badly in Game 3. Oftana scored only two points after erupting for 31 in the previous game, while Nambatac was held scoreless.

     

    TNT coach Chot Reyes pointed to turnovers and Ginebra’s efficient shooting as the major reasons behind the loss. If the Tropang 5G hope to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole, their local stars will need to provide significantly more support to McCullough.

     

    With momentum hanging in the balance, Game 4 presents an opportunity for Ginebra to tighten its grip on the series or for TNT to once again prove its resilience.

     

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    Predictions & Outlook

     

    Ginebra enters as the slight favorite after rediscovering its offensive rhythm and successfully limiting TNT’s supporting cast in Game 3.

     

    The Gin Kings will look to continue disrupting TNT’s perimeter scorers while allowing Brownlee and Abarrientos to dictate the pace offensively. Their ability to generate turnovers and convert them into easy baskets proved decisive in the previous game.

     

    TNT’s chances will largely depend on whether Oftana and Nambatac can return to form. McCullough has already shown he can carry the scoring load, but the Tropang 5G need more balance if they hope to keep pace with Ginebra’s deeper rotation.

     

    Expect another physical and highly competitive contest as both teams make adjustments following Sunday’s result.

     

    Key Factors

     

    Calvin Oftana’s response after being limited to just two points in Game 3.

     

    Chris McCullough’s offensive production following his 44-point explosion.

     

    Justin Brownlee’s leadership and Finals experience.

     

    Turnover battle, which heavily favored Ginebra in the previous game.

     

    Bench contributions and secondary scoring from both sides.

     

    What’s at Stake

     

    Game 4 could become the defining moment of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

     

    A Ginebra victory would move the Gin Kings one win away from another championship and place TNT on the brink of elimination.

     

    A TNT win would level the series at 2-2 and completely reset the Finals, transforming it into a best-of-three battle for the title.

     

    With the championship race tightening and adjustments becoming increasingly crucial, Wednesday’s showdown may ultimately determine who gains the upper hand in the final stretch of the series.

     

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  • RJ Abarrientos laughs off BPC talk, keeps eyes on Ginebra’s title chase 

    RJ Abarrientos laughs off BPC talk, keeps eyes on Ginebra’s title chase 

    For a player sitting atop the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference race, RJ Abarrientos seemed far more interested in cracking jokes than talking about individual accolades.

     

    As the league prepares to hand out its conference awards ahead of Game 4 of the Finals, the Barangay Ginebra guard found himself at the center of conversations surrounding the BPC plum. But rather than embracing the spotlight, Abarrientos quickly redirected attention to the only race he believes matters right now — the one for the championship.

     

    “Siyempre thankful ako, grateful ako,” Abarrientos said when asked about being the frontrunner for the award.

     

    Then came a response only he could deliver.

     

    “Nag-number one ako dati sa school, noisy lang,” he said with a laugh. “Number one noisy ako tapos pinapalabas ako ng teacher.”

     

    The room erupted in laughter as the 25-year-old continued the story.

     

    “Ngayon may pagkakataon na mag-number one, tapos ngayon sa basketball,” he added. “Dati kasi pinapalabas lang ako pag maingay sa school.”

     

    The lighthearted exchange reflected the personality that has made Abarrientos one of the league’s most relatable young stars. But beneath the humor lies a player fully locked in on Ginebra’s quest for another title.

     

    The sophomore guard made it clear that personal recognition takes a backseat to the bigger objective.

     

    “Game goes on,” he said.

     

    “Hindi ko tinitingnan yung individual awards. Kailangan na namin makuha yung Game 4, masarado namin at magtuloy-tuloy yung Finals.”

     

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    That mindset has helped fuel another breakout conference for Abarrientos.

     

    After capturing Rookie of the Year honors last season, the former Korean Basketball League standout has elevated his game further, becoming one of Ginebra’s most dependable weapons throughout the Commissioner’s Cup campaign.

     

    His impact was once again evident in Game 3 against TNT, where he delivered 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds while knocking down key baskets that helped preserve the Gin Kings’ lead during a late Tropang 5G rally.

     

    Those performances have pushed him to the top of the BPC standings, putting him in line to add another individual achievement to an already growing list of accomplishments.

     

    Still, Abarrientos remains amused more than anything by the attention.

     

    “Yun nga,” he said. “Nagulat din ako kasi dati talaga number one sa noisy.”

     

    “Hindi lang sa academics.”

     

    Despite Ginebra holding a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven Finals, Abarrientos knows the series is far from over.

     

    The former Far Eastern University standout expects TNT to come back with adjustments and believes Ginebra must be ready to respond if it hopes to move closer to the championship.

     

    “Malayo pa,” he said. “Makakapag-adjust sila. Let’s see kung ano yung maia-adjust namin.”

     

    For now, discussions about trophies and awards can wait.

     

    Abarrientos may be leading the BPC race, but as far as he is concerned, the most important number is still four — the number of wins needed to bring another championship to Barangay Ginebra.

     

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