Brgy. Ginebra def TNT, 73-66 [Finals Game 5 | PBA S49 Comm’s Cup | Mar. 23, 2025]
In a thrilling repeat of their last two title matchups, TNT and Barangay Ginebra find themselves locked in a 2-2 tie after four games, setting the stage for a high-stakes race to two as they vie for a critical 3-2 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. The pivotal clash is set for 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the Gin Kings riding a wave of momentum fueled by Justin Brownlee’s courageous efforts despite battling a significant thumb injury.
The Tropang Giga, however, are no strangers to this pressure. Having navigated these waters before, they know not to panic. In the previous two Governors’ Cup title bouts, TNT and Ginebra were deadlocked at 2-2, with the Tropang Giga ultimately seizing the championship in six games on both occasions.
It’s important to note that this time around, Jayson Castro is absent from the TNT lineup, while Ginebra has the advantage of a tenacious Brownlee, whose determination to fight through adversity has revitalized his team’s spirit.
The Tropang Giga recognize that they have an uphill battle ahead. Not only do they need to contend with the electric energy emanating from the Gin Kings’ locker room, but they also need to bounce back from a crushing blowout loss. In Game 4, despite Brownlee’s struggles, Ginebra dominated the fourth quarter to secure a convincing 95-78 victory, leveling the series once more.
Coach Tim Cone praised the team’s medical and conditioning staff for facilitating Brownlee’s swift return to action without the need for surgery on his injured thumb. As the finals progress, the Gin Kings are now in a prime position to break the series stalemate and seize the upper hand heading into Game 6.
Yet, Cone emphasized that the success of Ginebra cannot rest solely on Brownlee’s shoulders; the victory in Game 4 highlighted the importance of a collective team effort. For TNT, there’s a sense of relief in knowing the series is tied, but they must regroup and refocus.
Game 4 was a fiercely contested affair until the Kings capitalized on a crucial run following Poy Erram’s exit due to foul trouble. As the pressure mounts, both teams must dig deep and elevate their performances in this electrifying showdown.
