TNT def Brgy. Ginebra, 91-86 [PBA S49 Comm’s Cup | Jan. 17, 2025]

Two months after their thrilling clash in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals, TNT and Barangay Ginebra are set to collide once again, both vying for a coveted Top Two finish as they approach the final stretch of the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations.

The Tropang Giga are on fire, riding a five-game winning streak, while the Gin Kings are buoyed by a decisive 86-63 victory over the Blackwater Bossing. The showdown kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, promising an intense battle.

In a fiercely competitive field featuring at least five other teams, coach Chot Reyes’ squad aims to improve their record to 6-2, while coach Tim Cone’s crew looks to elevate their standings to 7-3.

This highly anticipated rematch serves as a grudge match, following their earlier face-off in the conference where Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and his team claimed the title in six hard-fought games.

Currently, TNT boasts a 2-0 record against Ginebra, having triumphed in their recent championship showdown in the 2023 Governors’ Cup.

However, the Kings come into this contest bolstered by the return of Jamie Malonzo and the addition of free-agent standout Troy Rosario, both of whom offer a significant boost to their offensive and defensive capabilities.

Reyes acknowledges the enhanced firepower and grit that Ginebra brings to the court. He expressed gratitude for their recent win over the NLEX Road Warriors, 94-87, which served as a confidence booster ahead of this pivotal match against Ginebra.

The Tropang Giga had a challenging time securing their latest victory against the Road Warriors, but RHJ stood out, delivering 23 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists despite some struggles from the field and the free-throw line.

Reyes insisted that their import needs to find his rhythm if they hope to contend with Justin Brownlee and the rest of the formidable Ginebra roster.

The Kings are coming off an impressive 23-point rout of Blackwater, highlighted by Malonzo’s return after months on the sidelines. In his first game back from a calf injury suffered in April 2024, Malonzo contributed eight points and played a pivotal role in Ginebra’s third-quarter surge, scoring six during that stretch, including a spectacular two-handed dunk that electrified the enthusiastic Sunday crowd.

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