MANILA, Philippines – The battle for the 49th PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown is officially underway, and TNT Tropang Giga wasted no time making a statement. With a dominant performance from start to finish, they secured a convincing 95-89 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game 1 of the finals on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Among all games in a basketball finals series, Game 1 is often the toughest, as both teams struggle to gauge each other’s adjustments and newly calibrated plays. This proved true for Ginebra and TNT, as it took more than two minutes after the opening tipoff for either team to register their first basket.
The Gin Kings struck first, jumping to a 5-0 lead while keeping Tropang Giga scoreless. But the 43-year-old veteran, Kelly Williams, quickly turned the tide with back-to-back three-pointers, setting the stage for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s relentless, contested drives to the basket.
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| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson explodes for 34 points and 13 boards as TNT stuns Ginebra to take Game 1. Photo Credit: PBA.ph |
It was not just Williams who caught fire from beyond the arc. Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, and Rey Nambatac followed suit, draining long-range bombs that fueled TNT’s offensive surge. With their sharpshooting on full display, Tropang Giga seized control and closed the opening quarter with a commanding 29-18 lead.
As Hollis-Jefferson relentlessly attacked every defender thrown his way, Ginebra’s resident reinforcement, Justin Brownlee, remained uncharacteristically quiet throughout the first half. Meanwhile, the TNT import continued his dominant performance, becoming the first player from both squads to hit double figures with plenty of time left before halftime.
It was not just Brownlee who struggled in the first half as Ginebra’s local players also had a tough time finding their rhythm. The only bright spot for the crowd favorite team was Japeth Aguilar who remained steady on both ends of the floor, delivering consistent contributions offensively and defensively.
RJ Abarrientos stepped up for Ginebra, trying to spark a comeback, but his efforts fell short against TNT’s overwhelming lead. Meanwhile, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continued his dominance, closing the first half with 23 points and securing a comfortable 55-39 advantage for Tropang Giga.
Coach Tim Cone maximized the halftime break to refocus and re-energize his squad, ensuring they came out stronger in the second half. His players responded with grit, gradually chipping away at the deficit and showing renewed determination on both ends of the floor.
Scottie Thompson took charge, igniting Ginebra’s offense with relentless drives and smart plays, while Brownlee finally found his groove. Meanwhile, TNT struggled to maintain their earlier intensity, allowing the Gin Kings to claw their way back and shrink what was once a gigantic lead.
Just as Ginebra inched closer and threatened to turn the tide, Tropang Giga responded with a barrage of three-pointers, reigniting their offensive spark. Their timely long-range shooting kept the Gin Kings at bay, allowing TNT to hold on to a 80-66 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Kings drew energy from their sixth man, the roaring Ginebra crowd, to ignite a scoring rally at the start of the fourth quarter. With chants of "Ginebra! Ginebra!" echoing throughout the arena, the Gin Kings stormed back, quickly cutting TNT’s lead to single digits.
Everytime Ginebra attempted to gain momentum, the Texters quickly responded, shutting down any hopes of a resurgence. Hollis-Jefferson, who had been subdued for most of the second half, suddenly erupted with a scoring spree, dominating both from mid-range and inside the paint.
The "Lefty Mamba" sealed the deal for TNT, with a game-high 34 points to secure a 95-89 victory in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. His late-game heroics set the tone for the series, proving that Tropang Giga is locked in for the championship fight.
Both teams will take a brief pause to regroup and strategize before clashing once again on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the PhilSports Arena, where new adjustments and game plans are expected to unfold.
— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
