TNT survived a clutch Justin Brownlee trey in regulation to wrest the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup title in dramatic fashion, defeating Barangay Ginebra in overtime, 87-83, in a classic Game 7 on Friday night.
The Tropang Giga found an unlikely hero in Glenn Khobuntin, who knocked down a crucial three with 2:22 left in overtime to give his team an 85-79 lead after his heroics in regulation couldn't put a defiant Ginebra away.
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TNT held on to the lead until the final buzzer as another last-gasp Ginebra rally fell short, completing a comeback from 3-2 deficit by winning one of the best Game 7s in league history, witnessed by 21,274 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga very nearly blew it after Brownlee sent the game into overtime by burying a three-pointer over Paul Varilla with 16.7 seconds left in regulation.
But the Tropang Giga stayed composed in extra time even with import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson playing through an injury.
With the title victory, TNT continued its mastery of Ginebra, winning its third finals in as many face-offs with the league's most popular team and doing so in a Game 7 to remember.
The Manny V. Pangilinan-owned franchise claimed its 11th PBA title and second for the 49th season, moving one conference title shy of a grand slam achieved only five times by four teams, twice by Tim Cone with Alaska in 1996 and with San Mig in 2014.
The loss once again broke the heart of Ginebra, which held a 3-2 lead in the finals series but settled for runner-up honors for the second time this season.
TNT held a 40-35 halftime lead thanks to the efforts of Hollis-Jefferson and Rey Nambatac, but lost control of the game and even trailed, 70-64, with eight minutes left.
But the Tropang Giga staged a comeback behind Khobuntin, who gave them a 75-72 lead only to see Brownlee convert a three of his own to extend Game 7 for five more minutes.
Hollis-Jefferson had 25 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block, while Rey Nambatac added 22 points, and was later named as the Finals MVP by the PBA Press Corps.
Khobuntin had 14 points in his huge role in Game 7, while Calvin Oftana added 10 points and six rebounds for TNT.
Brownlee had 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Japeth Aguilar had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Scottie Thompson produced 13 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists for the Gin Kings.
The scores:
TNT 87 – Hollis-Jefferson 25, Nambatac 22, Khobuntin 14, Oftana 10, Pogoy 9, Erram 5, Williams 2, Aurin 0, Varilla 0, Heruela 0.
Barangay Ginebra 83 – Brownlee 28, J. Aguilar 15, Thompson 13, Holt 12, Abarrientos 8, Ahanmisi 3, Malonzo 2, Rosario 2.
Quarters: 22-16; 40-35; 60-62; 79-79; 87-83.
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