Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson conspired in crunch time as Ginebra turned back TNT, 73-66, to move one win away from clinching the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup title, Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The two stars shone the brightest in what was another tight affair between the corporate rivals, with the three-time Best Import nailing a tough bucket to chop a three-point deficit to just 64-63 with 6:43 remaining in the fourth.
Then came the former league MVP, who scored six straight points to give themselves a 69-66 advantage approaching the final three minutes.
Brownlee would take it from there, sinking back-to-back floaters to expand the spread toward the eventual final count with 50.9 seconds left, all but sealing the deal for the Kings en route to capturing the 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series.
And they would like to close it out in Game 6 on Wednesday, March 26, still at the Big Dome, with a bigger crowd expected to show up after a total 12,447 screaming fans filled up the historic venue for Game 5.
“Even though Justin made some big shots down the stretch, it was really the inspiration of Scottie that really turned the tide for us,” Coach Tim Cone said.
“That kalawit rebound he had was amazing at a time when we weren’t getting rebounds, then the shots down the stretch, getting the ball to the right people. It was a brilliant, brilliant game by Scottie, especially the second half.”
Brownlee top-scored for Ginebra with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists as he overcame his offensive struggles during the first half, which saw him score his first points of the game with less than a minute left in the second.
Thompson registered his own double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds with five assists, adding two steals and a block as well.
Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi supplied 11 apiece. Meanwhile, Jamie Malonzo — despite tallying only six points — made his presence felt with 11 boards.
The Tropang Giga, on the other hand, were led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with 19 points on 26 shots and 12 rebounds. Rey Nambatac also had 19 markers.
The two were the only players to finish in double figures for the squad.
Still, they appeared to have taken control of the match when they held a 47-37 advantage during the third quarter, only to allow their foes to tie things up through a 10-all run — sparked by Mav Ahanmisi — that set up the tight finish.
Nambatac actually put his side ahead, 66-65, following a perfect trip to the line with 4:25 remaining but there was no stopping Thompson and Brownlee anymore.
The Kings closed the game out with eight unanswered points.
The Scores:
Ginebra 73 – Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, J.Aguilar 11, Ahanmisi 11, Rosario 6, Malonzo 6, Holt 3, Abarrientos 2, Tenorio 0.
TNT 66 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Oftana 8, Pogoy 8, Aurin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Williams 0, Exciminiano 0, Khobuntin 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66.
