PBA Finals: Ginebra uses hot start to take 2-1 lead over TNT

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during Game 3 vs TNT Tropang 5G in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra’s blazing start proved enough to hold off TNT and carve out a 116-102 win in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

The Gin Kings stormed to a 35-16 lead in the opening quarter, with their advantage eventually swelling to as many as 22 points.

The Tropang 5G mounted several comeback attempts in the second half, but Ginebra had the answers to take a pivotal 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“I don’t think, in a Finals game, everybody realizes how difficult it is to keep an early lead and keep it until the end of the game,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

“I have to tip my cap off to my players… It was our third game in five days so we dug deep knowing this could be a pivotal game in the series.”

Ginebra was comfortably ahead, 90-76, in the fourth quarter before TNT put together a 13-6 run to trim the deficit to seven, 96-89.

RJ Abarrientos, however, knocked down a crucial four-pointer to restore order and give the Gin Kings a 100-89 cushion with 5:32 left. He finished with 15 points.

The Tropang 5G continued to fight and cut the lead to 10, 101-91, but this time, it was Justin Brownlee who responded with a heavily contested short jumper that pushed Ginebra ahead, 103-91, with 4:12 remaining.

Brownlee ended up with an all-around game of 41 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Stephen Holt ended up with 23 points while Scottie Thompson registered a triple-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in the Ginebra win.

Chris McCullough paced TNT with 44 points and 13 rebounds, while Roger Pogoy chipped in 28 points in the loss.

Game 4 is on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum with Ginebra looking to extend its Finals lead over TNT.