By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee saved their best for last after taking over in the clutch to help the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel overcome the tough TNT Tropang Giga squad in Game 5, 73-66, of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals on March 23, 2025, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With the come-from-behind victory, the Gin Kings just moved on the cusp of the golden trophy and are now leading the grand finals series, 3-2.
After going down by double-digits in the first half against the waxing-hot TNT squad, Ginebra banked on their defensive consistency that slowed down the Tropang Giga’s offensive production in the last two quarters.
However, it was Thompson and Brownlee’s take over in the final 6:05 of the ball game that changed the fortunes for the Gin Kings as the duo scored the team’s last 10 points off isolation plays in the perimeter.
Down 63-64, Thompson kicked off Ginebra’s massive 10-2 closing run with a crafty spin move leftie layup against the outstretched arms of Poy Erram and Calvin Oftana.
TNT was able to answer back with a deuce, but those two points became their last made shots as the Tropang Giga went scoreless in the remaining 4:25 of Game 5.
Capitalizing on TNT’s cold stretch was Thompson, who followed up his spin cycle layup with two more baskets that gave Ginebra a three-point lead, 69-66.
In the final 2:38 mark, Brownlee put the entire Gin Kings on his back after converting two consecutive floaters that pushed the lead to seven points, 73-66, and iced the game with only 51 seconds left.
Brownlee, who only put up two points on the board after the first two quarters, finished the game with 18 points alongside 12 rebounds and five assists.
Ginebra’s resident star import stepped up when Ginebra needed his offense in the second half and provided the clutch hits that put away the Tropang Giga for good.
Meanwhile, the ever-reliable Thompson capped off the comeback win with another all-around effort of 16 markers, 10 boards, five dimes, and two steals.
On the other hand, it was a disappointing outcome for TNT after taking control of the game in the first half with a 10-point lead before Ginebra made some defensive adjustments in the third.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was on a tear in the first half after finally rediscovering his stroke from the perimeter but the tight Ginebra defense silenced him in the final 10 minutes and didn’t allow him to drain a single bucket.
The TNT reinforcement still ended the game with a game-high outing of 19 points and 12 rebounds, but needed more help from the locals as it was only Rey Nambatac who also reached double-figures in scoring.
Will Ginebra close out the series in six games or will TNT show some signs of life and salvage Game 6 to force a win-or-go home rubber match?
Game 6 will take place on March 26, 2025.
