THE PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals has come down to a Game 7 as TNT and Barangay Ginebra face off for all the marbles.
Game 7 has become the hottest ticket in town after TNT and Ginebra split two epic games to get to this point. The Game 6 attendance of 22,731 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum is expected to be easily surpassed on Wednesday night.
Here is a preview of Game 7.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. TNT
Series tied 3-3
When: Wednesday, June 17. 7:30 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
For the win
TNT and Ginebra are going the distance after the Tropang 5G's 98-90 win last Sunday. For the second straight time, a finals series between the two is going to a Game 7 after TNT captured the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup title with an 87-83 win over the Gin Kings.
Import watch
Justin Brownlee and Chris McCullough will once again be on the spotlight after their scoring prowess in Game 6. Brownlee scored 52 to breach the 50-point barrier in two consecutive games, but McCullough had the last laugh when he made 53 to lift TNT to the victory.
Oftana, BGR, Castro status
Calvin Oftana (calf) and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (ankle) missed Game 6 due to injuries but TNT still wound up winning the match. Jayson Castro rolled his ankle in Game 6 and never returned, adding to the injured list of TNT. The expectation, however, is the three will give it a go in such a high-stakes game.
Heading, Pogoy, Nambatac deliver
McCullough had a lot of help in Game 6 from Jordan Heading, RR Pogoy, and Rey Nambatac.
Heading set the tone on offense for TNT when he delivered nine of his 19 points in the first quarter. The rest of the points of TNT in that period were from McCullough.
Pogoy accounted for eight of his 13 points in the second half, while also doing his usual job of defending not just Brownlee but other Ginebra key players such as RJ Abarrientos.
An unsung hero for Game 6 was Rey Nambatac, who issued seven assists, a few of which led to baskets by McCullough.
‘Magic bunot’ could determine Game 7
The last time TNT and Ginebra figured in Game 7, an unsung hero emerged in Glenn Khobuntin, who had 14 points including a key three in overtime. Don’t be surprised if such happens again.
Khobuntin could be that man again although he has been quiet throughout the series. Another player that has gone silent is Ralph Cu, who is only averaging 2.2 points and has not hit a three since Game 1.
Brownlee carrying too much load
Brownlee has kept Ginebra afloat with a career night of 54 points in Game 5. But is Brownlee already doing too much on offense? No local player hit double figures for Ginebra with Troy Rosario being the closest at nine points while also grabbing a team-high 15 rebounds.
Locals could determine the title
With both imports more or less cancelling each other out, the locals will be on the spotlight for Game 7.
Pogoy and Heading have been the most consistent among the locals with averages of 16.8 and 15.2 points, respectively, but winning Game 7 could come down to how they defend.
Oftana’s scoring has dipped since he scored 31 points in Game 2, but he has been playing hurt. If his offense clicks again, that could be good news for TNT.
Ginebra’s locals have been under the microscope particularly Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson after the two combined for 2-of-18 shooting in Game 6. In the case of Abarrientos, he shot a miserable 8 percent from the field on 1-of-12 shooting.
It is already becoming crystal clear. Brownlee needs the locals to deliver or he might be forced once again to pull off another magical performance to lift Ginebra to the title.
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