- TNT Tropang Giga try look to take a commanding 3-1 lead vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals.
PBA Finals: Justin Brownlee’s hot start sets tone for Ginebra in win
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings import Justin Brownlee against TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis Jefferson during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO—Justin Brownlee knew that for him to make an impact despite a dislocated right thumb, he would have to start off strong to help Barangay Ginebra get the eventual Game 4 win over TNT that tied the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at 2-2 here.
“I wanted to be aggressive,” Brownlee said after scoring 23 points in the 95-78 victory at Ynares Center despite being considered doubtful due to his injury sustained two nights earlier in Game 3.
IN PHOTOS: Barangay Ginebra ties PBA Finals at 2-2
PBA Finals: Justin Brownlee, Ginebra dominate TNT for 2-2 tie
Justin Brownlee and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO — Doubts hovered over the status of Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee, while TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson stood in the spotlight to take yet another Best Import Award.
But when the game demanded grit and excellence, it was the Gin Kings who stepped into the moment, hacking out a 95-78 Game 4 triumph over the Tropang Giga at Ynares Center here.
Justin Brownlee with a money shot after his heroic Game 4 performance #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/57fS371JHy
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) March 21, 2025
PBA Finals Live Updates: Ginebra vs TNT Game 4 (March 21)
FOURTH QUARTER
- FINAL: Ginebra dominates TNT in Game 4, 95-78, to tie the series at 2-2 with Justin Brownlee finishing with 23 points despite an injured thumb.
- Jamie Malonzo puts the game further away for TNT as Ginebra leads 95-78 with under a minute to play.
- Biggest lead for Ginebra, 89-76, with under 3 minutes to play.
- Big step-back 3 from Jamie Malonzo over RHJ! Ginebra opens an 87-76 lead as TNT continues to struggle to get its rhythm back.
- Justin Brownlee beats the shot clock! He gives Ginebra an 84-76 lead on his 23rd point.
- Ginebra making most of size edge vs TNT. Japeth Aguilar converts from downlow for an 82-76 lead.
- Ginebra 80, TNT 76. Poy Erram fouls out for TNT.
- Poy Erram finishes Calvin Oftana’s pass with a one-handed flush. Ginebra 74, TNT 72. 8:41.
- Ginebra 74, TNT 67. 10 minutes to play. Quiet night so far for RHJ, who earlier received the Best Import award.
Friday night crowd at Ynares Center in Antipolo for Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/XZT8DBHsBb
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) March 21, 2025
THIRD QUARTER
- END OF THIRD: Ginebra 72, TNT 66.
- Calvin Oftana stops and pops and makes a 3 to beat the clock for TNT!
- Jamie Malonzo left wide open, and he knocks down the 3! 11-run for Ginebra for a 72-61 lead vs TNT.
- Japeth Aguilar with a slam off the fastbreak to the delight of the crowd. Ginebra leads 65-63. 1:54.
- Justin Brownlee with a tough fadeaway! Tied game at 63.
- Kelly Williams for 3! TNT now leads 62-61, capping a 10-run.
- TNT slowly chipping away at Ginebra’s lead as it pulls within 61-59. 4:36.
- Ginebra with another run as it extends its lead to 61-52 with 7 minutes on the clock.
- Second half underway. Ginebra with a 55-52 lead vs TNT.
SECOND QUARTER
- Justin Brownlee leads the way with 15 points on 6/7 shooting despite a dislocated right thumb.
- END OF SECOND: Ginebra 53, TNT 49.
- RHJ tips in his own miss. TNT trails 53-49.
- But TNT is coming alive here as it quickly erases Ginebra lead, 51-48, after a 3 from Roger Pogoy with 1:25 on the clock.
- Ginebra still in control of the game with a 51-41 lead vs TNT.
- Justin Brownlee still near perfect from the field! He has 13 points so far and Ginebra leads 44-36 with 5:21 on the clock.
- Ginebra pushes its lead back to 41-34, after baskets from Brownlee and Aguilar.
- TNT cuts into Ginebra lead, now just trailing 35-32 with under 9 minutes before halftime.
FIRST QUARTER
- END OF FIRST: Ginebra 31, TNT 21.
- Ginebra opens a 26-19 lead vs TNT with under 3 minutes left in the first.
- Roger Pogoy with a 3! Game tied at 14 midway through the opening quarter.
- Justin Brownlee, who was a game-time decision, scores his first two points. Roger Pogoy immediately answers in the other end. Ginebra 14, TNT 9.
- Stephen Holt with the hand hot so far! Scottie Thompson joins the party. Ginebra opens with a 12-5 lead with 8:07 on the clock.
- Strong start for Ginebra so far. Japeth Aguilar with 4, Stephen Holt with 2. Ginebra 6, TNT 2.
- Ginebra starting 5 for Game 4: Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt, Justin Brownlee, Troy Rosario and Japeth Aguilar.
- TNT starting 5 for Game 4: Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Rondae Hollis Jefferson, Kelly Williams.
PBA: RHJ, Arvin Tolentino win Best Import, Best Player awards
TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino were named the Best Import and Best Player of the Conference, respectively, ahead of Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
ANTIPOLO — For their steady and equally impactful performances throughout the tournament, NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino and TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson have been feted as the Commissioner’s Cup’s finest on Friday night.
The 29-year-old Tolentino was crowned Best Player of the Conference, the first winner outside the San Miguel power bloc to bag the honor since Christian Standhardinger, who also played for the Batang Pier, did it during the 2019 Governors’ Cup.
NorthPort Batang Pier star Arvin Tolentino is named the Best Player of the Conference for the #PBA Commissioner's Cup.
· Follow live updates for the #PBAFinals Game 4: https://t.co/FVLQ1jsUB9 pic.twitter.com/Hw9fprCeu4
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 21, 2025
TNT Tropang Giga star Rondae Hollis-Jefferson takes home the Best Import award for the #PBA Commissioner's Cup.
· Follow live updates for the #PBAFinals Game 4: https://t.co/FVLQ1jsUB9 pic.twitter.com/XMbo0Xp1Wq
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 21, 2025
- Rondae Hollis Jefferson (TNT) and Arvin Tolentino (NorthPort) were awarded the Best Import and Best Player of Conference awards ahead of Game 4 of the PBA Finals.
Some of the scenes before Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals tips off here at Ynares Center #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/OrPBjn8YRc
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 21, 2025
Justin Brownlee set to suit up for Game 4 despite injured thumb
Justin Brownlee already here at Ynares Center for Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. Brownlee a game-time decision tonight #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports
— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) March 21, 2025
More than four hours before Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals tips off at Ynares Center here in Antipolo City #PBAFinals | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/GlwLbXqZkO
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 21, 2025
LOOK: Fans line up outside Ynares Center in Antipolo ahead of Game 4 of the #PBAFinals between Ginebra and TNT. The Tropang Giga lead the series, 2-1. 📷 Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net
· Follow live updates for the #PBAFinals Game 4: https://t.co/FVLQ1jtsqH pic.twitter.com/X5VX8fI0R5
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 21, 2025
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT schedule
Game 4, March 21, Friday – Ynares Center
- 7:30pm – Best Import, Best Player of the Conference Awarding
- 7:35pm – Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings vs TNT Tropang Giga
FULL PBA FINALS SCHEDULE HERE.
PBA Finals: Ginebra import Justin Brownlee doubtful for Game 4
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings import Justin Brownlee in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net
Justin Brownlee is doubtful to play in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals after dislocating his right thumb in Barangay Ginebra’s loss to TNT.
But coach Tim Cone, who confirmed Brownlee’s status Thursday, also said that nothing is set in stone for the all-important contest which the Gin Kings must win in order to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
“Justin is doubtful to play, but he hasn’t been ruled completely out yet,” Cone said.
TNT stays cautious as Ginebra keeps thumb, er, fingers crossed
TNT coach Chot Reyes knows that Barangay Ginebra could use Justin Brownlee’s injury as a rallying point.
“Exactly,” Reyes said as his team tries to take a commanding 3-1 lead when Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals is played Friday. “This is not over by any means. We have to make sure that we’re ready.”
Brownlee is listed as doubtful to play in the 7:30 p.m. contest at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, but Ginebra coach Tim Cone is not ruling out the possibility of seeing the beloved import on the floor.