Tropang 5G Seek Bounce-Back as Finals Series Heads to Game 2

Barangay Ginebra is preparing for another intense battle against TNT Tropang 5G as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Finals resume with Game 2 tonight at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings are aiming to seize a 2-0 series advantage and move closer to the championship, but they know it won’t come easy after surviving a nail-biting 102-100 victory in the opener.

Veteran coach Tim Cone expects the series to remain fiercely contested.

“I don’t know if I can handle six more games like that,” Cone joked after Game 1. “They’re all going to be tough. This is going to be a hard-fought series.”

Backed by more than 11,000 fans at the Big Dome, Ginebra came out firing in the opener, knocking down nine three-pointers in the first half and building an 18-point lead in the third quarter. However, TNT gradually erased the deficit and even grabbed a 95-90 advantage late in the game behind the efforts of Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, and Jordan Heading.

Ginebra, though, found answers when it mattered most. RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee spearheaded the comeback, with Abarrientos sinking two four-point shots before Brownlee delivered the game-winner on his trademark fadeaway jumper with 0.6 seconds remaining.

Despite the dramatic win, Abarrientos stressed that the Kings must improve after their shaky second-half performance.

“Our third and fourth quarters weren’t sustainable,” said the former Far Eastern University standout. “Those two four-point shots I made won’t always be there. We have to be better as a team and as individuals.”

Game 2, scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff, is expected to revolve around adjustments from both sides, particularly TNT.

The reigning champions will look to avoid another sluggish start while also finding ways to keep import Chris McCullough involved throughout the game. McCullough finished with 25 points and played a major role in TNT’s third-quarter surge but was held scoreless in the final period.

His absence offensively opened the door for the locals to take charge, with Pogoy leading the way. The veteran guard scored TNT’s final seven points, including a clutch three-pointer that tied the game at 100-all with 10.6 seconds left.

Brownlee and Ginebra ultimately emerged victorious, but TNT’s late-game rally provided enough encouragement that the Tropang 5G can even the series.

Oddsmakers are leaning toward TNT in Game 2, with Tropang 5G listed as 4.5-point favorites. The projected total points line is set at 192.0.