BARANGAY Ginebra won in the most dramatic of ways, erasing a seven-point deficit in the final minutes of regulation and beating TNT in overtime, 100-95, on Friday night to move one win away from the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup title.
Justin Brownlee had a career-high 54 points including baskets in the clutch that rescued the Gin Kings from an 87-80 deficit and forced overtime.
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RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, and Troy Rosario gave a tiring Brownlee the help he desperately needed in extra time to whip most of the 18,039 fans into a frenzy as the Gin Kings grabbed a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
Brownlee scored all of the nine points that turned a seven-point deficit into an 89-87 lead, but RR Pogoy made a tough fallaway to tie the game with 1:03 left, enough for TNT to extend the game.
But Brownlee couldn’t be stopped in overtime, making a three-point play with 2:39 left that got Barangay Ginebra up, 94-92, before Abarrientos and Rosario made lay-ups that increased their gap to 98-94.
TNT never made a field goal afterwards with Brownlee putting the finishing touches with two free throws with 14.5 seconds left.
“Justin was awesome,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Brownlee eclipsed his previous career high of 51 points set last August 27, 2024 in last season’s Governors’ Cup eliminations game against San Miguel.
Chris McCullough had 38 points and 16 rebounds, and made two free throws that got TNT ahead, 87-80.
RR Pogoy added 23 points, but Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser didn’t see action in the final minutes due to injuries.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 100 – Brownlee 54, Abarrientos 13, J. Aguilar 12, Rosario 10, Thompson 6, Holt 2, Abis 2, Pinto 1, Torres 0, Cu 0, Gray 0.
TNT 95 – McCullough 38, Pogoy 23, Heading 13, Oftana 9, Castro 6, Nambatac 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Galinato 2, Williams 0, Khobuntin 0.
Quarters: 25-17; 48-50; 65-70; 89-89; 100-95.
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