RESULTS: PBA Finals Ginebra vs TNT Game 2 October 30
SCHEDULE: PBA Governors’ Cup Finals Game 2
October 30, Wednesday – Smart Araneta Coliseum
- 7:30pm – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel vs TNT Tropang Giga
PBA Finals: ‘Fresh’ Jayson Castro provides the goods for TNT
TNT Tropang Giga veteran guard Jayson Castro during the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals Game 2 against Ginebra. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—When TNT needed leadership in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, the Tropang Giga expectedly turned to none other than Jayson Castro.
Despite coming off the bench, Castro facilitated the offense and played like he wasn’t 38.
In coach Chot Reyes’ own words, Castro played “fresh” en route to the Tropang Giga’s 96-84 win over Ginebra, thanks to the roster management throughout the season.
PBA Finals: TNT has Ginebra ‘figured out,’ admits Justin Brownlee
Tim Cone and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings during Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals against TNT. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra import Justin Brownlee simply stated what might be considered obvious for the Gin Kings after their Game 2 loss in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the hands of TNT.
Ginebra dropped to a 0-2 hole after absorbing a 96-84 loss from the Tropang Giga at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, raising concerns for Brownlee, who’s been taking notes regarding TNT’s defense.
“We’re having some struggles offensively, it’s obvious,” said the Gilas naturalized player.
“It’s very difficult, they’re up 2-0. TNT has it going for the past couple games. Right now, to be honest, it seems like they got us figured out on their defensive side.”
WATCH: Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee after going down 0-2 to TNT in the #PBAFinals. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/p1wp2lxE0N
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 30, 2024
PBA Finals: RHJ masterclass propels TNT to 2-0 lead vs Ginebra
TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis Jefferson during the PBA Finals Game 2 against Barangay Ginebra. –PBA IMAGES
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered another massive performance with 37 points as TNT repeated over Barangay Ginebra, 96-84, Wednesday for a 2-0 lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hollis-Jefferson highlighted his big offensive production by knocking down six triples, the most in his PBA career, while adding 13 rebounds and seven assists as the Tropang Giga moved two wins away from repeating as champions of the conference they’ve won in 2023.
He was also key once more in TNT’s defensive stand by limiting Ginebra to a 35-percent shooting even as it knocked down 14 threes, some of which came in timely manner in the second half.
PBA Finals Game 2 scores: Ginebra vs TNT
TNT import Rondae-Hollis Jefferson and coach Chot Reyes after going up 2-0 in the #PBAFinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/AwLEeU1pfg
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) October 30, 2024
- 2-0 NA, TROPA! 📞 FINAL: TNT takes a 2-0 lead over Ginebra after snatching a 96-84 victory in Game 2 of the #PBAFinals.
- RHJ puts TNT ahead 91-81 with over three minutes left in the game against Ginebra.
- CARDIAC FINISH INCOMING? 👀 After three quarters, TNT leads by just one, 72-71, over Ginebra.
- Ginebra ties the game at 63, 4:23 in the third quarter.
- Justin Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar pulls Ginebra within 49-45 to start the third quarter.
- AT THE HALF: TNT regains control at the end of two quarters as they now lead over Ginebra, 49-41.
- TNT taking over in the second quarter, now leads 49-41 with under a minute before halftime.
- END OF FIRST: Ginebra in control after the first 12 minutes as the Gin Kings lead TNT, 23-19
- Rondae Hollis Jefferson with a 3-bomb of his own. TNT trails 14-21 in the first quarter.
- 13-6 start for Barangay Ginebra after a corner triple from Stephen Holt.
- Scottie Thompson opens Game 2 of the PBA Finals with a 3-pointer for Ginebra.
⏳ LOADING… GAME ✌️
Ginebra and TNT await the opening buzzer for Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
The Tropang Giga lead the series, 1-0, after winning Game 1 on Sunday. @INQUIRERSports #PBAFinals pic.twitter.com/DmcjSKdenV
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) October 30, 2024
- Ginebra and TNT await the opening buzzer for Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
PBA Finals: TNT braces for Ginebra outside shooting
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (left) and the Tropang Giga had a hand in the poor shooting of Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 of the PBA Finals. —PBA IMAGES
It’s a credit to how Barangay Ginebra has turned the three-point shot into a weapon that TNT coach Chot Reyes warned his team how a bad shooting night by the Gin Kings is the exception and not the rule.
“They’re an outside shooting team. So they really rely a lot on their three-point shooting,” Reyes said. “There are days they’re going to be off, but that’s not going to be every day and that’s why I told [the players] we have to be prepared for the next game.”
Barangay Ginebra’s 2-for-21 shooting from three-point land in Game 1 was the worst in a series finale in over a decade. The last time a club fared miserably from beyond the arc was San Mig Coffee during the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, during a time when hot shooting from the outside would often be dismissed as a rarity.
RJ Abarrientos hit by reality check in PBA Finals debut
Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos (4) defends TNT guard Jayson Castro in Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos found himself swimming with the sharks in his first PBA Finals experience.
The fast-rising Abarrientos went head-to-head with TNT great Jayson Castro, who took the young guard to school.
“Kuya Jayson showed who Jayson Castro is, who I still idolize right now,” said Abarrientos after the Gin Kings’ 104-88 Game 1 loss on Sunday night at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
PBA Finals: Motivation? Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has a lot of it
TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Rondae Hollis-Jefferson never runs out of reasons to keep going and stay locked in until the goal is met.
Hollis-Jefferson said he has plenty of motivation as he tries to lead TNT to back-to-back championships in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“I’m motivated [even] before the introductions,” said the former NBA veteran in an interview with Inquirer Sports on Sunday night.
“I’m motivated for our teammates, the people who don’t make that much money, for the people who helped me every day.”
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