The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will try to string three straight wins against the TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel heads into Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals with momentum on their side, having evened the best-of-seven series against TNT Tropang Giga with back-to-back victories.
The Gin Kings, backed by a standout performance from Justin Brownlee and strong support from Stephen Holt, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Japeth Aguilar, look primed to reclaim the Governors’ Cup title as they gear up for Wednesday's pivotal clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ginebra's resurgence has been anchored by Brownlee’s stellar play. After finishing as runner-up to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the Best Import race, Brownlee came out with a vengeance in Game 4, putting up 34 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting, including six rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
[ALSO READ: Ginebra goes back-to-back against TNT, levels PBA Finals series in Game 4]
His ability to set the tone early has been key, with Coach Tim Cone noting, “Justin is usually a very good starter, especially in big games. He knows how important he is to set the tempo and to give confidence to his teammates.”
Holt, battling illness through the first three games, emerged revitalized in Game 4, tallying 18 points and hitting four three-pointers.
[ALSO READ: Stephen Holt shines as Ginebra ties PBA Finals series vs TNT in Game 4]
Ahanmisi and Aguilar matched Holt’s production, each contributing 18 points to push Ginebra past the 100-point mark for the first time in the series.
The Gin Kings shot an impressive 56.3% from the field, including a rare 60% (3-of-5) from the four-point range.
Though Ginebra’s offensive spark was a highlight, Coach Cone emphasized defense as the core of their approach. The Barangay forced the Tropang Giga to commit 17 turnovers, converting those into 20 points. This defensive pressure disrupted the TNT's rhythm, allowing Ginebra to control the game and secure a 106-92 win.
As the series heads into Game 5, Ginebra aims to sustain this momentum and inch closer to reclaiming the Governors’ Cup trophy from the defending champions.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]