Brgy. Ginebra def NorthPort, 115-93 [SF G1 | PBA S49 Comm’s Cup | Feb. 26, 2025]
Who put in the work during the long breather?
After a grueling elimination round, the PBA took a 16-day hiatus, and the preparations during this downtime could prove crucial as the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals kick off Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This extended break could significantly influence the NorthPort-Barangay Ginebra clash, but ultimately, determination and a fierce will to win will likely be the defining factors.
The two rivals will face off at 7:30 p.m., with NorthPort eager to build on its impressive regular-season performance in pursuit of the franchise’s first-ever PBA finals appearance.
On the flip side, Ginebra aims to uphold its storied winning tradition, driven by its relentless never-say-die spirit. However, they may face an uphill battle, as coach Tim Cone and several key players have spent a significant portion of the two-week break in service of the Gilas national team.
The semifinal series gets underway just three days after Gilas’ challenging matchup against New Zealand in Auckland—a final game in a demanding stretch that saw the Nationals journey through Doha for contests against Qatar, Lebanon, and Egypt before a stop in Taipei.
The pivotal question is how ready Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, and Troy Rosario will be upon their return to Ginebra.
Even without this hurdle, Cone acknowledges that NorthPort is a formidable foe, emphasizing that Ginebra must be at its peak performance to secure victory.
NorthPort concluded the eliminations at the top of the standings with a solid 9-3 record, which includes a thrilling 119-116 triumph over Ginebra. Cone recognizes the Batang Pier as a legitimate threat.
He also noted that NorthPort’s import, Kadeem Jack, provides essential contributions in rebounding, rim protection, and scoring ability in the paint.
Adding to their strength, Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon are currently performing at an MVP-caliber level, shouldering the responsibility for coach Bonnie Tan’s squad.
For Tolentino, there’s an added subplot as he vies for the Best Player of the Conference accolade.
As a collective unit, NorthPort is striving to catapult the franchise into the PBA finals for the first time since its inception in 2012 when it entered the league as GlobalPort.
This marks only the third time the Batang Pier has reached the semifinals, having previously fallen short in their last two attempts—first against Alaska Milk in the 2016 Philippine Cup and then to Ginebra in the 2019 Governors’ Cup.
