The TNT Tropang Giga lift the PBA Commissioner’s Cup trophy after beating Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 7. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
TNT weathered every challenge Barangay Ginebra threw its way on Friday night and delivered in the biggest moments for an 87-83 Game 7 overtime victory to put itself atop the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Tropang Giga, on the shoulders of Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, off-season pickup Rey Nambatac, and Glenn Khobuntin dispatched the crowd darlings in seven grueling games to capture its 11th crown in franchise history.
LIVE: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 7
Hollis-Jefferson delivered 25 points and 12 rebounds and was steadily there for the telco club each time the Gin Kings threatened to come back in the thriller witnessed by 21,274 roaring fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Nambatac added 22 points, earning the Honda PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player trophy. Khobuntin had 14 more to punctuate TNT’s collective steely stand.
TNT players celebrate after a big shot by Glenn Khobuntin in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Calvin Oftana delivered the finishing blow with 6.3 left, cleaning up a Hollis-Jefferson fumble.
With the title, TNT moved two championships away from tying the fabled Crispa franchise that collected 13.
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More importantly, the Tropang Giga took another step in their path towards PBA history as they stayed on track for a Triple Crown sweep that only four teams have ever pulled off in the PBA’s near-five decades of existence.
Baranga Ginebra’s resident import Justin Brownlee, who continued to battle through a dislocated thumb, put up 28 points and 11 rebounds, his gallant performance only enough to send the game to an extra period, not end the crowd darlings’ two-year title drought.
Japeth Aguilar scored 15 points and 11 rebounds, Scottie Thompson tossed in 13 points while Stephen Holt 12 as Barangay Ginebra absorbed their third straight Finals loss at the hands of TNT.