MANILA, Philippines – The race for the 49th PBA Commissioner's Cup title is set for a dramatic finish as TNT edged Ginebra, 87-83, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. With the hard-fought victory, the Tropang Giga pushed the series to a decisive Game 7, setting the stage for an intense winner-takes-all battle.
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| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s dominant double-double powers TNT to a Game 6 victory, forcing a high-stakes do-or-die Game 7. Photo Credit: PBA.ph |
With their championship hopes on the line, TNT Tropang Giga came out firing from the opening tip of Game 6. Wasting no time, they unleashed a barrage of three-pointers, accounting for all 15 of their early points. Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel dominated the paint, asserting their presence inside to keep the battle tight in the first quarter.
TNT set the pace early, dictating the flow of the opening period. However, Ginebra’s locals, led by RJ Abarrientos, refused to back down. With the Commissioner’s Cup trophy within reach, they turned up the intensity, capitalizing on TNT’s struggles. In a swift momentum shift, Ginebra wrestled the lead away with three minutes remaining in the quarter, igniting the crowd in the process.
Calvin Oftana, who had been up and down throughout the series, found his rhythm early in this crucial matchup. With TNT needing a lift, he stepped up and knocked down key shots. As the first quarter buzzer sounded, his smooth jumper tied the game at 22, keeping TNT within striking distance.
The second quarter turned into a chess match of defensive tactics, with both teams struggling to put points on the board. Possession after possession ended in stops, keeping the score locked at 30-all midway through the period. Even the imports, usually the driving force of their squads, remained unusually quiet, failing to crack double digits nearly 20 minutes into the game.
Surprisingly, Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson had yet to put his name on the scoreboard. Likewise, TNT’s RR Pogoy remained scoreless, a rare sight for both key players. Their lack of offensive production was evident, as their teams found it difficult to establish a consistent rhythm on the court.
Thompson, who had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the first half, came alive in the closing moments. The Ginebra floor general coolly sank two free throws before drilling a clutch three-pointer at the buzzer, sending the crowd into a frenzy and giving Ginebra a 42-38 edge heading into the second half.
Tropang Giga came out firing to start the third quarter, wasting no time in shifting the momentum. Coach Chot Reyes’ squad unleashed a blistering 7-0 run to snatch the lead from Ginebra early in the second half. Adding to Ginebra’s woes, a string of costly turnovers allowed TNT to tighten its grip on the game, forcing Coach Tim Cone to burn a timeout and regroup his squad.
Justin Brownlee, still battling through a dislocated thumb, struggled to make the same impact he had in Ginebra’s previous victories. His offensive presence was noticeably diminished, leaving the Kings searching for other scoring options. Meanwhile, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson proved to be a relentless force in the paint, causing major problems for TNT’s big men as he consistently muscled his way to the basket for crucial points.
Fans were on the edge of their seats in the final 10 seconds of the third quarter as both teams fought for momentum heading into the final frame. Stephen Holt buried a clutch corner three to briefly put Ginebra ahead, but Rey Nambatac answered in dramatic fashion, drilling a deep four-point play at the horn to give TNT a 63-62 lead.
The Tropang Giga came out strong in the fourth quarter, quickly building their largest lead of the game at eight points. Their sharpshooting from beyond the arc remained their primary weapon, as they relentlessly fired from deep in a determined effort to push the series to a decisive Game 7.
On the other hand, Ginebra had no success from beyond the arc, missing key outside shots. To make matters worse, unforced errors continued to pile up, disrupting their offensive flow and giving TNT extra possessions. The mounting turnovers became a major concern for Coach Tim Cone, who was visibly frustrated as his team fought to regain control of the game.
Poy Erram, who had been a focal point of the series due to his on-court antics and heated exchanges with teammates and Coach Reyes, proved his worth when it mattered most. The lanky center dominated the final canto, playing a key role in TNT’s surge to a double-digit lead midway through the quarter.
With the game hanging in the balance, Brownlee delivered when it mattered most. As the final two minutes approached, the Ginebra import embodied the “Never Say Die” spirit, rallying his team with clutch plays and slashing the deficit to just a single point.
The Gin Kings had multiple opportunities to tie or steal the game, including a dramatic banked three-pointer from Thompson. However, Tropang Giga stood their ground, refusing to let victory slip away. In the final moments, Hollis-Jefferson sealed the deal, icing the game and officially sending the series to a thrilling Game 7 with an 87-83 win.
The highly anticipated, do-or-die Game 7 is set for Friday, March 28, at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum, where one team will emerge victorious and claim the championship.
— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
