Justin Brownlee and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
It was not the prettiest of victories, but Barangay Ginebra got the job done in avoiding being buried in a deep hole early within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series.
And what transpired after the Gin Kings’ 71-70 Game 2 win before 12,925 fans at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night is just a transparent indication of the tough task that might be required from either team to win the midseason tournament.
“We’ve got to indicate that character, that true grit, for us to have a probability on this series,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone because the series was leveled at 1-1 after a game of ugly shooting from each teams before a heart-stopping finish.
HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 2
Justin Brownlee’s 35 points, which accounted near half of Ginebra’s output, was a polar opposite of the sport that had each teams throwing more bricks than makes—either because of fine defense or simply missing open attempts.
Despite forcing TNT to 2 Finals records for futility, Ginebra needed to hold its breath after squandering a 13-point halftime lead and trailing, 70-67, within the dying seconds.
However the Gin Kings got the last 4 points from Brownlee while getting the stops on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who ended up going 6-of-23 for 23 points in what may very well be a positive sign for the gang favorites.
“They simply reached really deep to make two incredible stops,” Cone added in praise of his charges.
Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
And if Game 2 had that wild ending, the identical is anticipated moving forward, starting with Game 3 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Scottie Thompson had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists, but almost had a costly turnover when, after grabbing the offensive glass off Brownlee’s miss, he threw a pass that was intercepted by Calvin Oftana.
But Ginebra doubled Hollis-Jefferson on the following play and the Tropang Giga reinforcement couldn’t give you a shot as time expired.
Shooting struggles
TNT almost won after being held to only 4 points within the second quarter and 19 on the half, each setting ugly records within the title series. Ginebra led, 32-19, on the break.
The frustration of getting bad shooting coupled with the problem of catching up with the Gin Kings prompted Poy Erram to once more lose his cool and, at one point, kick a few of the Tropang Giga’s equipment while heading back to the locker room within the third to blow off steam.
But TNT slowly got here back with Rey Nambatac finding his shots and Oftana and RR Pogoy making three-pointers despite their struggles.
Pogoy only had 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting after going for 15 on five triples within the 95-89 win in Game 1, while Oftana had five on 2-of-8.
Nambatac scored 14 points with three rebounds and five assists for the Tropang Giga. INQ
