By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The rolling Barangay Ginebra San Miguel made the crucial free throws and earned the clutch stops to fend off the TNT Tropang Giga, 89-85, to secure their playoff spot in the ongoing 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last November 20, 2022.
Ginebra avoided a near meltdown after the Tropang Giga mounted a huge offensive fourth-quarter rally that trimmed their 17-point lead.
The Gin Kings were bound for another monster performance after opening the first 12 minutes of action with a dominant 29-12 lead against the Tropang Giga.
Ginebra was just firing from all cylinders led by super import Justin Brownlee who kicked off the Gin Kings scoring avalanche after an acrobatic layup and a long three-point bomb.
The Tim Cone-led squad was playing their own brand of basketball, distributing the leather for easy deuces until the final frame came.
TNT played with more heart in the fourth after losing Jayson Castro in the third due to a rolled ankle injury.
To add to the Tropang Giga’s list of unfortunate events, crafty scoring guard Mikey Williams wasn’t in 100 % condition in the last six minutes after suffering cramps.
TNT also played without import Cameron Oliver who had to nurse his ongoing injury. Despite his absence, the TNT locals did a good job containing Ginebra but fell short in the most crucial stretch of the game.
With the score tied at 81-all, Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger injected some life into all Gin Kings’ hopefuls in attendance after scoring a much-needed basket to break the deadlock.
From there, the Gin Kings slowly pulled away from TNT and converted clutch free throws in the last two minutes of the game.
“What an awesome job Talk ‘N Text did. What an awesome job coach Chot did, recovering from the great start we had and keeping their composure. They did an incredible job of spreading us out and picking us apart,” said coach Cone.
Ginebra was led by Brownlee who dropped 21 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists while reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Scottie Thompson had 10 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
On the other hand, the Tropang Giga fell to 4-6 in the standings and must win their remaining games to qualify in the import-laced playoffs.
