MANILA, Philippines – TNT conquered Barangay Ginebra once again in a conference where the Gin Kings ruled for multiple years.
The Tropang Giga reasserted their mastery over Ginebra as they defended their PBA Governors’ Cup throne following a come-from-behind 95-85 win in Game 6 of the finals at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, November 8.
Living up to his billing as a two-time Best Import, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson put up 31 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals, including key buckets late that took the fight out of a Gin Kings side looking to force a sudden death.
Hollis-Jefferson scattered 5 points in a win-clinching 12-0 run TNT used to capture its 10th championship in franchise history after trailing 83-85 with under five minutes left.
Jayson Castro backstopped Hollis-Jefferson with 13 points and 6 assists, while Roger Pogoy also added 13 points, including a back-breaking triple that gave the Tropang Giga a commanding 94-85 lead with a minute remaining.
The Ginebra loss put to waste a sensational effort by Gin Kings rookie RJ Abarrientos, who exploded for a career-high 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting before a mammoth crowd of 14,668.
Abarrientos fired 18 points in the second quarter alone as Ginebra fought back from a 21-31 deficit to mount a 43-42 halftime lead.
The defeat also prevented Justin Brownlee from claiming his seventh title, which would have made him the winningest import in PBA history.
Brownlee, who finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, won four of his six championships in the Governors’ Cup but lost the last two editions to Hollis-Jefferson and TNT.
TNT 95 – Hollis-Jefferson 31, Castro 13, Pogoy 13, Nambatac 12, Oftana 8, Khobuntin 7, Aurin 5, Williams 4, Erram 2, Exciminiano 0.
Barangay Ginebra 85 – Abarrientos 31, Brownlee 16, Holt 12, Ahanmisi 9, Aguilar 8, Thompson 6, Cu 3, Mariano 0, Pinto 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 42-43, 66-74, 95-85.
– Rappler.com
