The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings relied on key defensive stops down the stretch to secure a 71-70 victory over the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After seeing their early 15-point lead slip into a 70-67 deficit late in the fourth quarter, the Gin Kings regained the advantage at 71-70 behind a basket and two free throws from Justin Brownlee with 46 seconds remaining.
Stephen Holt and Earl Scottie Thompson then locked down Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the final moments, preserving the one-point win and tying the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
“Tonight, it was really about our defense. Have to give credit to Stephen and Jamie (Malonzo), they did an incredible job, and our team defense was also good,” Brownlee said in a post-game interview.
“I think it was a great defensive effort all around and our credit on Jamie and Stephen, they played an incredible defense on RHJ the all night,” added the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player.
Brownlee finished with a double-double of 35 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Gin Kings, while Thompson had a near triple-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
Both teams struggled with their shots in the opening quarter with the Gin Kings clinging to a 23-19 lead midway through the second period before they created separation from baskets by Thompson and Brownlee for a 32-19 halftime lead.
Gin Kings’ lead stretched to its largest at 15 points at 36-21 on a conversion by Japeth Aguilar, but the Tropang Giga slowly clawed their way back to take a 70-67 lead on triples by Rey Nambatac, Roger Pogoy, and Calvin Oftana late in the fourth quarter.
“These guys just showed true grit the entire game and if we want to have a chance in the series, we have to show that grit,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone after the game. “That’s is the way that we have to play to have a chance (against TNT).”
Hollis-Jefferson finished with a double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds, Nambatac added 14 markers, while Pogoy contributed 11 markers for the Tropang Giga.
The post Ginebra escapes with Game 2 win, ties PBA Finals series at 1-1 first appeared on Fastbreak.
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