Rey Nambatac bails out TNT Tropang Giga in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Rey Nambatac knocked down a huge three-pointer in the clutch and TNT outlasted a determined Barangay Ginebra team that lost Justin Brownlee to injury for an 87-85 win to claim a 2-1 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Nambatac came through with 30.1 seconds to break an 82-all deadlock, but not after a number of offensive rebounds that kept the possession alive for the Tropang Giga, who had to scrap their way against the import-less Gin Kings after Brownlee dislocated his right thumb.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals HIGHLIGHTS – Ginebra vs TNT Game 3
RJ Abarrientos turned the ball over the next play and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson found Glenn Khobuntin ahead on the other end for the layup for the insurance basket that made it 87-82 in favor of TNT.
TNT can go for a commanding 3-1 lead in the Finals on Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Nambatac added five rebounds and seven assists, continuing his consistent play in the Finals while filling in the responsibilities left by Jayson Castro, who in the semifinals suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings import Justin Brownlee injures his thumb in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net
Hollis-Jefferson had 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, also bouncing back after getting stopped by the Ginebra defense in the end of TNT’s 71-70 loss in Game 2 Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Calvin Oftana also delivered with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, but his two offensive boards during the sequence that led to Nambatac’s triple left an imprint in the contest.
READ: PBA Finals: Scottie consoles RJ Abarrientos after ‘bad’ shot in win
Brownlee scored 19 points, four rebounds and six assists for Ginebra before getting replaced due to his injury with 6:42 to go in the third.
Despite that Ginebra even led 77-74 and 82-80 in the fourth before things turn a different way in TNT’s favor.
Scottie Thompson added 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Troy Rosario finally had his best numbers in the series with 13 points and seven rebounds while Abarrientos and Jamie Malonzo added 13 and 11.
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Ginebra led by nine in the first half and eight during the final seconds of the second period before Hollis-Jefferson knocked down a jumper at the buzzer that cut TNT’s deficit to 48-42 at the break.
