Ginebra ended the TNT curse, outlasting the Tropang 5G, 88-76, in Game 7 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup finals in front of 24,617 fans at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday night.
It was the franchise’s first title since a record 54,589-strong crowd at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan watched Ginebra turn back Bay Area, 114-99, in the Commissioner’s Cup finals Game 7 in January 2023.
Since that championship three years ago, the Gin Kings lost to the Tropang 5G thrice in the finals — Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, and Season 47 and Season 49 Governors’ Cup finals.
Best Import awardee Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 30 points and 14 rebounds in the clincher, including 16 points in the second half to fuel a 48-29 run that erased a 49-47 halftime deficit.
Brownlee scored 54 (Game 5) and 52 (Game 6) points in earlier games.
“These beautiful fans, they gave us the energy to go out there and win,” Brownlee said. “We were down and TNT gave us a battle. But as coach Tim kept telling us, ‘this is our time.’”
“Stephen Holt said it before the series started, ‘this is our time.’ And it was our time.”
The win gave Brownlee his seventh PBA championship.
“Ten years ago I would never have thought I’d be still playing at 38 years old and winning championships,” Brownlee said. “But these fans, they give me the energy to go out there play for them, play for my family and give my best.”
Scottie Thompson finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists and was named Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) by the PBA Press Corps.
“Ito yata ‘yung pinaka-emotional na panalo ko ng finals MVP kasi (This is probably my most emotional finals MVP win because it is) unexpected. I’ve been battling through ups and downs,” Thompson said.
Best Player of the Conference RJ Abarrientos added 13 points to win his first PBA title.
TNT was led by import Chris McCullough’s 28 points. Jordan Heading scored 21 and 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.
Quarters: 18-16; 40-47; 68-63; 88-76 (PBA/PNA)
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