WATCH: Brgy. Ginebra vs TNT Last 2 Minutes [QF Game 1 | 2021 Governors’ Cup | March 16, 2022]

Brgy. Ginebra isn’t about to surrender the crown just yet.

The Gin Kings returned from a 10-day break on a playoff mode and drubbed the TNT Tropang Giga, 104-92, to force a rubber match in their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals dispute at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Justin Brownlee erupted for 38 points that went with 12 rebounds and Scottie Thompson had a near triple-double with 23 markers, 15 boards and eight assists as the Gin Kings foiled the Tropang Giga’s first of two cracks at the best-of-five semifinals.

Japeth Aguilar also had a big game with 21 points and seven rebounds, with Nards Pinto, Christian Standhardinger and LA Tenorio tossing in clutch plays as the sixth-ranked team achieved the first step in back-to-back wins needed to snatch a place in the Final Four.

The two teams clash in a do-or-die tiff at 4 p.m. Saturday also at the Big Dome.

“One game at a time, sabi ni coach (Tim Cone). But with this, sigurado mabu-boost ang confidence ng team,” said Thompson.

The do-it-all guard rifled in a trey to touch off back-to-back three-pointers with Brownlee as they eventually overcame the Tropang Giga’s gritty stand, posting a 100-90 lead with 1:21 left to play.