TNT and Barangay Ginebra face off in Game 3 of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup finals, as the scene shifts to the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
At the end of the day, one team will gain headway before the series takes a two-day respite.
Here is the Game 3 preview.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. TNT
Series tied, 1-1
When: Sunday, June 7. 7:30 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Who will get 2-1 lead?
TNT and Ginebra will break the tie when they battle in Game 3. The Tropang 5G evened the series in Game 2 after defeating the Gin Kings, 101-94, on Friday. Calvin Oftana and Chris McCullough were among the key players in the win.
Calvin, C-Mac set the tone
Oftana hit a season-high 31 points after shooting 11-of-18 from the field and 5-of-10 from three-point range.
McCullough finished with a double-double of 19 points and 16 rebounds. The two scored eight each in the first quarter to set the tone and give TNT a 27-12 lead. They need to perform the same way again in Game 3.
Bigs defend RJ
RJ Abarrientos had 21 points in Game 2, but didn’t get off to a strong start where he only had one point in the first quarter and seven by halftime.
READ: BGR, C-Mac, Kelly vow to keep doing their part in slowing down RJ
TNT made the adjustment of guarding Abarrientos with bigs in Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, and McCullough taking turns in the first half. Expect the Tropang 5G to continue that ploy and force Ginebra to make adjustments .
Scottie, Cu struggle
Scottie Thompson had a quiet Game 2 where he had eight points, four rebounds, and two assists. He was mostly tasked to defend Oftana, but had problems shutting down the TNT star. For sure, he will look to atone in Game 3.
After a series of good games, Ralph Cu went cold in Game 2 where he missed all four of his triple tries. It was the first time he didn’t hit a three since Game 4 of the semifinals against Rain or Shine. Cu needs to get regain his feathery touch in Game 3.
Heading bounces back
Jordan Heading bounced back after a foul-plagued Game 1 by supplying 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, as well as a team-high five assists to complement the efforts of Oftana and McCullough.
Heading only had five points in Game 1, the first time he didn't breach double-digits since TNT lost in Game 2 of the Comm's Cup semifinals against Meralco, a reflection of how important Heading is to the Tropang 5G's chances.
Holt must step up
Stephen Holt has been a hot topic on social media for the wrong reasons. In Game 2, Holt continued to struggle where he only had one point. one rebound, and one assist. This, after he already went scoreless in Game 1.
Holt played for only 21 minutes, with his back-up Jeremiah Gray getting most of the minutes with 30. Holt needs to start producing for Ginebra in this series.
Little ball movement
Ginebra had more assists, 17-15, against TNT in Game 2, but that wasn’t the case all game long. After a season-high 30 in Game 1, the Gin Kings just recorded three assists in the first half where they had stretches being forced to play 1-on-1 by the Tropang 5G defense.
Ball movement improved in the second half, leading to more baskets, but those already came late, with Ginebra trying to dig out of a 22-point hole.
Gray chips in
Over the past games, Gray’s role was mainly on defense. But he gladly provided offense in Game 2 where he scored 13 points, including a four-point shot that helped Ginebra rally. Don’t be surprised if he gets more minutes in Game 3.
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