TNT moved one win away from defending its PBA Governors’ Cup kingship following a 99-72 decimation of Barangay Ginebra to build a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 Finals, Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga set the tone early before breaking away in the second period, outscoring the crowd darlings 30-13 for a commanding 56-33 lead entering the break as they couldn’t seem to do anything wrong all the way to the end.
So lopsided was the match that some fans began to head to the exit doors still with a full quarter to go as the reigning champs built a 79-48 lead after three.
And a few minutes into the final chapter, the Kings waved the white flag already as the seldom-used players graced the floor, while most of the starters sat on the sidelines as the crew altogether struggled to search for answers.
Now, the flagship MVP Group franchise sets its sights on Game 6 this Friday, where an opportunity to annex its 10th league crown overall awaits.
“We just had to keep our heads around us and not to panic,” said head coach Chot Reyes, proud of the composure his wards showed especially when the opposition came back from down 0-2 and tied the series at two games apiece.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was far from his usual form with only 16 points on 14 shots with 10 rebounds, but the reigning two-time Best Import didn’t need to do much as the locals gamely stepped up en route to a balanced attack.
Roger Pogoy finished with 16 as well to his name, spiked by three triples and a four. Calvin Oftana supplied 15 points, 12 of which he made in the first half that included eight in the second quarter as he and Pogoy led the breakaway.
Kelly Williams made 11 points, making seven in the first quarter to help his side get ahead quickly. Jayson Castro added a 10-7-7 stat line.
But it wasn’t just their solid offense that did wonders in the crucial win. They limited the Barangay to only 32-percent shooting from the field.
Justin Brownlee himself struggled, too, as he finished with only eight points — that, after firing 34 in their series-tying Game 4 win last Sunday.
Scottie Thompson led Ginebra with 13 points, which he all made in the opening period. LA Tenorio had 13 points while Stephen Holt added 10.
It was Kings’ worst Finals defeat since absorbing a 132-94 loss at the hands of San Miguel Beer in Game 3 of their 2018 Commissioner’s Cup title bout, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
The Scores:
TNT 99 – Hollis-Jefferson 16, Pogoy 16, Oftana 15, Williams 11, Castro 10, Nambatac 7, Erram 7, Exciminiano 6, Khobuntin 4, Heruela 3, Aurin 2, Galinato 2, Payawal 0, Ebona 0, Varilla 0.
Ginebra 72 – Thompson 13, Tenorio 13, Holt 10, Brownlee 8, Abarrientos 7, J.Aguilar 6, Cu 5, R. Aguilar 5, Pessumal 4, Ahanmisi 1, Pinto 0, Adamos 0.
Quarterscores: 26-20, 56-33, 79-48, 99-72.
