HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 3

• Ginebra, TNT shoot for pivotal 2-1 series edge in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
• The Gin Kings equalized after holding off the Tropang Giga, 71-70, in Sunday’s Game 2.

PBA Finals: Rey Nambatac now thriving in pressure to lead TNT

Rey Nambatac said Jayson Castro had a lot of influence in his standout performance that gave TNT an 87-85 win over Barangay Ginebra and a 2-1 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Nambatac finished with a career playoff-high 24 points, including the go-ahead three in the dying seconds as the Tropang Giga got the lead and never looked back to fend off a fighting Gin Kings side that lost Justin Brownlee to a dislocated thumb.

“I felt the presence of Kuya Jayson even if he’s not in the venue,” Nambatac said in Filipino. “I’ve watched a lot of videos to observe his game.”

PBA Finals: Justin Brownlee return still unclear after thumb injury

Barangay Ginebra is holding out hope that Justin Brownlee can at least show up and provide a lift for the rest of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals after dislocating his right thumb in Game 3.

Brownlee left midway in the third quarter after sustaining the injury while diving for the loose ball and had to be brought to the hospital to undergo tests.

His status for Game 4 on Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City remains unclear as of posting time.

PBA Finals: TNT slips past Ginebra on Rey Nambatac’s clutch 3

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.

IN PHOTOS: TNT escapes Ginebra in PBA Finals Game 3

PBA Finals Live Updates: Ginebra vs TNT Game 3 (March 19)

FOURTH QUARTER

• TNT escapes Barangay Ginebra, 87-85, to take a 2-1 series lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
• Ginebra still not penalty here, posing a problem as it tries to get the possession back with 2 seconds left.
• Scottie Thompson with a massive 3 to keep Ginebra alive with 2.6 seconds left! TNT leads Ginebra, 87-85.
• RJ Abarrientos loses the ball to RHJ with 20 seconds left. Glenn Khobuntin converts on the fastbreak. TNT 87, Ginebra 82. 15 seconds to play.
• But TNT’s perserverance to get the loose ball pays off as Rey Nambatac makes a clutch 3 from the corner to give TNT an 85-82 lead with 30 seconds to play!
• Calvin Oftana fumbles a wide open lay-in. Pogoy misses a 3. Nambatac also misses a one hander! All in one posession!
• RHJ nails a tough, contested bucket down low. Ginebra and TNT tied at 82 with 1:51 to play.
• Scottie Thompson makes 1-of-2 FTs to keep Ginebra aheads 82-80.
• JP Erram called for an offensive foul off a fastbreak play. This is his fifth foul. 2:25 to play.
• Troy Rosario retakes the lead for Ginebra off a drop pass from Stephen Holt. Ginebra 81, TNT 80. 3:40 to play.
• This game is headed for a wild finish with TNT still holding on to an 80-79 lead.
• Having a quiet night, RHJ puts TNT back in the lead again 80-79.
• Big 3 from JP Erram ties the game again at 77. 7 minutes to play.
• Another big basket for Ginebra, this time from Ahanmisi. Ginebra 77, TNT 74.
• Ginebra chants fill the PhilSports Arena after a 3 pointer from RJ Abarrientos! Ginebra 75, TNT 74. 7:41.
• Ginebra will likely play with an all-local crew for the rest of the game with Rondae Hollis Jefferson back on the floor for TNT after sustain a small cut on his cheek.

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Justin Brownlee heading to the hospital after dislocating his right thumb #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/GD4bqKkEaK

— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) March 19, 2025

• According to the courtside report, Ginebra is preparing to take Justin Brownlee to the hospital after dislocating his right thumb.

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Justin Brownlee dislocates his right thumb during the third quarter of Game 3 before being taken to the locker room #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/ylgBcYW6AT

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 19, 2025

• TNT with a 74-72 lead vs Ginebra with over 9 miutes to play
• The final period underway. No imports on the floor both sides to start.

THIRD QUARTER

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Ginebra star Justin Brownlee in pain as he heads to the locker room after hurting his right thumb in the third quarter of Game 3. He still hasn't checked back in the game. #PBAFinals 📸 Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net pic.twitter.com/s8xV5mEpCd

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 19, 2025

• END OF THIRD: TNT 72, Ginebra 66.

• Justin Brownlee heads to the locker room after hurting his right thumb.
• Kim Aurin from 3 off a kick out from RHJ! TNT now up 67-62, 2:04 left.
• But Calvin Oftana immediately answers with a 3 of his own. TNT 62, Ginebra 61. 4:01 on the clock.
• Ginebra takes the lead back, 61-59, on a wide-open 3 from Stephen Holt. 4:20.
• TNT holding on to a 59-58 lead vs Ginebra midway through the third quarter.
• JP Erram cuts to the middle with a wide open basket. TNT back in the lead 54-52. Ginebra calls for a timeout.
• Nambatac is red hot! He has eight points in the third alone. TNT and Ginebra tied again at 52 with 9:30 on the clock.
• TNT with a quick start here in the third, scoring 5 straight points to cut into Ginebra’s lead. Ginebra 48, TNT 47.

SECOND QUARTER

• END OF SECOND: Ginebra 48, TNT 42.
• Ginebra opens a 48-40 lead over TNT with 26 seconds left in the quarter.
• Another highly defensive showdown in Game 3 between Ginebra and TNT. Both sides just taking their turns taking a slim lead. Ginebra 38, TNT 35. 2:38 before halftime.
• Scottie Thompson launches from 3 and gets the bounce. Ginebra takes the lead anew 34-31.
• RJ Abarrientos with a bucket for Ginebra. Calvin Oftana splits his charities. TNT 31, Ginebra 31.
• Jamie Malonzo fueling the Gin Kings’ run here in the second quarter. TNT 30, Ginebra 29.
• RHJ splits his freethrows. TNT 26, Ginebra 26.
• Ginebra’s second unit making their shots. RJ Abarrientos’ 3 pushes Ginebra ahead 26-25. 8:55.

FIRST QUARTER

• END OF FIRST: Ginebra 17, TNT 17.
• Jamie Malonzo with a 3! Tied game at 17 all.
• RHJ with a slam off a pass from Erram! Brownlee immediately answers with a short stab on the other end and he completes the 3-point play. TNT 15, Ginebra 14. 2:57,
• Brownlee knocks down a 3 to end a mini scoring drought here! Ginebra 11, TNT 13.
• Roger Pogoy fakes and scores off the glass. TNT opens a slim 13-8 lead. Ginebra calls for time.
• TNT and Ginebra just trading baskets midway through the first quarter. TNT 11, Ginebra 8.
• Calvin Oftana with a 3 from the rigjt corner to give TNT a 9-6 lead. 8:30.
• TNT leads Ginebra 6-4 with under 10 minutes to play the opening quarter.
• TNT Starting 5: Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, RR Pogoy, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
• Ginebra Starting 5: Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt, Justin Brownlee, Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar.

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TNT and Barangay Ginebra relax a bit during warmups with Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals less than an hour from tipoff at Philsports Arena #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xOvOrVYM5D

— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) March 19, 2025

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Anong koponan ang aarangkada?#PBASeason49 Commissioner's Cup best-of-7 #PBAFinals game 3 – March 19 – WEDNESDAY schedule at PHILSPORTS ARENA, PASIG brought to us by @PocariSweatPH

7:30 PM
TNT Tropang Giga (1) vs. BARANGAY GINEBRA San Miguel (1)#PBAAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/1HwUGFm9DN

— PBA (@pbaconnect) March 19, 2025

PBA Finals: Ginebra coach Tim Cone hopes for jam-packed Pasig crowd

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra coach Tim Cone isn’t just hoping for a Gin Kings win in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Wednesday.

The veteran tactician also wants to see a gargantuan crowd take over the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

“I hope they’re [crowd] hanging from the rafters. I really do,” said Cone after their 71-70 win in Game 2 at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

PBA Finals: Frustrated Roger Pogoy rues poor shooting in Game 2

MANILA, Philippines—Roger Pogoy could’ve been the difference maker for TNT in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Unfortunately, the two-way shooting guard had quite the struggles at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday that ultimately spelled doom for the Tropang Giga.

“Nanggigil lang (I just got too eager),” said Pogoy in jest after their 71-70 loss at the hands of Ginebra.

PBA Finals: RHJ eager for atonement after letting Game 2 slip away

The weight of missing an opportunity to give TNT the upper hand in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals was not lost on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson last Sunday night.

The Tropang Giga import, who was the last to exit the team’s locker room at Mall of Asia Arena, even took responsibility for the 71-70 defeat that allowed Barangay Ginebra to even the best-of-seven championship series to a game apiece.

“You know, we played some really solid defense. But credit to Ginebra, they played excellent defense and made it really tough for us,” the resident reinforcement said in a candid chat with reporters.

PBA Finals: Now race-to-three, Ginebra, TNT again seek head start

Barangay Ginebra and TNT go at it again on Wednesday in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup title showdown where style has taken a backseat to survival.

Following two contrasting battles—one a shootout and another a defensive slog—the two clubs break an early series tie at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City at 7:30 p.m. where the Gin Kings, fresh from a grind-out 71-70 win last Sunday, hope to bring more of the same effort on defense.