PBA Finals Preview: Another chapter in TNT-Ginebra rivalry
SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT
MANILA, Philippines—Once more, it’s Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and TNT Tropang 5G sharing center stage in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
While TNT dominated Ginebra in their last two best-of-seven meetings–the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup Finals–the landscape has changed and both teams are back to square one.
Inquirer Sports lists four things to watch as the longtime rivals meet again for the championship.
History: Ginebra and TNT’s previous meeting
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos during a game vs TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETP/INQUIRER.net
Ginebra edged TNT, 93-86, during the elimination round at Mall of Asia Arena last month. But that result may offer little insight into what lies ahead in the PBA Finals.
For one, TNT still had import Bol Bol at the time. The former NBA player later suffered a partial Achilles tear in the semifinals, forcing the Tropang 5G to bring in Chris McCullough as his replacement.
Whatever scouting Ginebra gathered from that matchup has likely gone out the window.
Still, one thing remains constant for the Gin Kings: RJ Abarrientos.
The reigning Rookie of the Year has emerged as Ginebra’s top local scorer this conference and is among the leading contenders for Best Player of the Conference.
Abarrientos scored 17 points in Ginebra’s win over TNT in the eliminations and enters the Finals coming off back-to-back 30-point performances against Rain or Shine.
Health: TNT’s fitness concerns
TNT Tropang 5G during a game vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“If we’re a hundred percent healthy we have a chance but if we suffer some significant injuries, that dampens our chances,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. ”Hopefully, right now, the health continues to be good.”
The last time the Tropang 5G took on the Gin Kings in the Finals, they didn’t have the services of star guard Jayson Castro, who was out for the majority of last year due to a patellar tendon injury.
That, however, unearthed Rey Nambatac, who fueled the Tropang 5G past the Gin Kings to the championships that came with the Finals MVP honors.
Since then, injuries have continued to test the Tropang 5G.
Roger Pogoy battled recurring hamstring issues in the Philippine Cup and Governors’ Cup, while TNT eventually fell short against San Miguel Beer in both conferences with a depleted roster.
This time around, Castro and Pogoy are healthy, giving TNT a much better chance of repeating its success against Ginebra.
Hunger: Ginebra’s quest for redemption
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings during a game in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“We take motivation from those series,” said Scottie Thompson regarding last season’s bridesmaid finishes.
“Of course, we learned a lot of lessons from TNT. We need to defend them from start to finish. We need consistency to increase our chances of winning the championship.”
Ginebra reached the PBA Finals twice last year.
Twice, they faltered to the Tropang 5G.
That alone provides enough motivation heading into another championship showdown.
Japeth Aguilar may have gone in and out of the lineup due to injuries–most recently because of a lung problem late in the elimination round–and Scottie Thompson may have had his off night, but Ginebra has found another offensive weapon in Abarrientos.
Abarrientos has finally found his stride offensively, serving as the main local scorer for the Gin Kings.
In Ginebra’s two latest wins in the semifinals, Abarrientos notched 31 and 30 points in Games 5 and 6, respectively, against Rain or Shine.
His offensive uprising has added another dimension to Ginebra’s attack–and another problem TNT must solve.
Heavyweights: Brownlee and McCullough collide
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during a game in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Justin Brownlee has been a Ginebra mainstay for years. That puts Chris McCullough in a tough spot.
Sure, McCullough has seen it all and won multiple times in the PBA with San Miguel Beer, but this is a different environment.
Coming in as a replacement for the injured Bol Bol, McCullough has only three games under his belt in a TNT jersey.
The motivation of facing a familiar foe, though, should keep him going in the best-of-seven series.
“I was probably 13 or 14 when he (Brownlee) was in college. I used to go to his college to work out with him when I was young, so to finally be able to play against him will be good,” he said.
Brownlee, fresh off a six-game duel with Rain or Shine import Jaylen Johnson, knows he has his work cut out for him.
“He’s a lot younger and a very versatile player,” said the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized forward. “I think we’re all looking forward to the challenge.”
TNT and Ginebra will clash for all the marbles starting Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum, with Game 1 set for 7:30 p.m.
