TNT barges into PBA Finals, knocks out Ginebra

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TNT survived a tough contest against Ginebra, 122-109, to complete the Finals cast in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday at Cuneta Astrodome.

Jayson Castro came through in the clutch to cap off his outstanding performance with 38 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists.

The KaTropa upended Barangay Ginebra in four games and will meet San Miguel on Wednesday in their sixth franchise appearance in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Ginebra had a 106-103 lead in the fourth quarter but that proved to be the Gin Kings’ final moment of relevance as Castro spearheaded the KaTropa’s 19-3 game-closing run.

For most of the game, TNT head coach Nash Racela held on to a piece of paper with his hand-written notes talking of praise and faithfulness to the Lord.

“I know we we’re going to this game facing a Ginebra crowd and every possible favor in terms of numbers were on their favor but it’s the Lord’s favor that matters,” said Racela. “I know the Lord was with us.”

And with Ginebra looking to bring the series to a 2-2 deadlock, Racela said it was his team’s unrelenting composure that ended the series at 3-1.

“It was our composure and focus that helped us today,” said Racela. “And I knew that as long as we did the right things during the game, good things will happen.”

Before the game, TNT also faced uncertainty when Joshua Smith injured his foot in Game 3 of the series.

Smith, however, suited up and put up 18 points and grabbed five rebounds.

RR Garcia also had his moments for TnT and he filled up the stat sheets with 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists while Kelly Williams had 14 points and 12 boards.

Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists.