Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
PBA SCHEDULE Commissioners’ Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT
Barangay Ginebra fended off a late surge from TNT then kept it together at the most critical of times to survive with a 71-70 win in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Justin Brownlee delivered 35 points and 11 rebounds to lead the crowd darlings, who escaped the Tropang Giga by the skin of their teeth at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“These guys just showed true grit all the way through the game … they just reached really deep to make two incredible stops,” head coach Tim Cone said shortly after the escape act that leveled the best-of-seven series at a game apiece.
LIVE: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 2
Scottie Thompson chipped in 16 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists as Japeth Aguilar and Stephen Holt combined for 15 for the Gin Kings, who gave 12,925 screaming fans at the bayside arena a night to remember.
The two clubs go at it again to break the tie in Game 3 pencilled at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City this coming Wednesday.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson put up 25 points and 15 rebounds for TNT but figured in the nasty end of two critical errors that allowed their foes to pull through.
Rey Nambatac had 14 points while Roger Pogoy 11, but the two gunners sputtered just when the Tropang Giga were trying to hang on to a slim lead with about three minutes left in the clock.
Ginebra vs TNT Game 2 scores:
GINEBRA 71 – Brownlee 35, Thompson 16, J.Aguilar 8, Holt 7, Rosario 2, Ahanmisi 2, Malonzo 0, Cu 0
TNT 70 – Hollis-Jefferson 25, Nambatac 14, Pogoy 11, Erram 6, Oftana 5, Khobuntin 4, Williams 2, Razon 2, Aurin 1, Heruela 0
QUARTERS: 21-15, 32-19, 54-45, 71-70.