TNT drags Barangay Ginebra to Game 7 in PBA Commissioner's Cup finals

It's not yet over.

TNT overcame Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals, 87-83, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, in front of a crowd of 17,654, to even the series at 3-3.

It was neck-and-neck for majority of the match with the two teams tied at 59 with 33 seconds left in the third period. Stephen Holt drilled a triple to give Barangay Ginebra the lead heading into the third period, but Rey Nambatac connected from the 4-point arc to give the Tropang Giga a 63-62 lead to close the said frame.

It was the start of the run that gave TNT a wide margin in the closing period.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson opened TNT's final frame with a jam before Glenn Khobuntin's freebies put gave TNT a 67-62 lead. Poy Erram, who had a conflict with head coach Chot Reyes in the previous game, then shot a triple, followed by another layup to hand TNT a 10-point lead. 

Scottie Thompson snapped TNT's 13-0 run with 8:28 left, enough for Barangay Ginebra to mount at least a rally late in the game.

With 2:20 remaining, Nambatac gave TNT an 80-75 lead before back-to-back baskets for Brownlee almost stole the Tropang Giga advantage. RHJ's freebies off a Brownlee foul fended off Barangay Ginebra, with another split from Erram off a Thompson foul giving TNT a four-point lead. Brownlee trimmed Ginebra's deficit with a split, but free throws from Erram off a Jamie Malonzo foul gave TNT an 85-80 lead with 16 ticks remaining.

Thompson was salvaging Ginebra's hopes with a three-pointer before RHJ missed his first two attempts from the line. Erram grabbed the rebound, then RHJ sank two crucial freebies from a Holt foul as Mav Ahanmisi missed his free throws after. Thompson also missed his 4-pt attempt, sealing the victory for TNT.

RHJ had 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, while Nambatac starred anew with 23 points, five rebounds, three steals, and an assist. Calvin Oftana and Erram had 14 points apiece.

Brownlee, meanwhile, had 22 points seven boards, four assists, and two blocks, while Thompson had 12 points. RJ Abarrientos chipped in 12 points, while Japeth Aguilar and Stephen Holt had 11 points each. 

Game 7 of the best-of-seven series will be played on Friday.

Scores:

TNT 87 – Hollis-Jefferson 29, Nambatac 23, Oftana 14, Erram 14, Khobuntin 4, Pogoy 3, Heruela 0, Aurin 0, Williams 0.

Barangay Ginebra 83 – Brownlee 22, Thompson 12, Abarrientos 12, J. Aguilar 11, Holt 11, Malonzo 6, Rosario 6, Ahanmisi 3.

Quarters: 22-22, 38-42, 63-62, 87-83.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News