The TNT Tropang Giga have been here before, series tied at 2-2, before winning Game 5 and eventually the Season 47 Governors' Cup title. Can they repeat the feat against this version of Barangay Ginebra?
As TNT Tropang Giga prepares for Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, they’re seeking to regain the momentum that helped them jump to a 2-0 lead in the series.
Following back-to-back losses, TNT faces a pivotal test at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, with the series now even at 2-2.
For TNT, the key to regaining control will lie in both strategic adjustments and sheer willpower, as they look to repeat their previous Finals success in a similar situation.
Newly-minted Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been the bedrock of TNT’s campaign. In Game 4, RHJ delivered a tireless 28-point performance, adding nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals while playing nearly the entire game.
[ALSO READ: PBA: After receiving Best Import plum, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson says he’s more concerned about winning]
The import emphasized that the next game will test both teams’ resolve: “We’re two teams who are familiar with each other... now we’re at a point where it’s about willpower, having that will and that desire to win, and bringing out the best of you.”
Calvin Oftana also stepped up in Game 4, pouring in 26 points, with Rey Nambatac chipping in 15.
However, Ginebra’s defense and the scoring resurgence of Stephen Holt and Maverick Ahanmisi, who each scored 18 points in Game 4, have complicated matters for TNT.
Coach Chot Reyes acknowledged the challenge these players pose, stating they’ve been making things “difficult” for the Tropang Giga, necessitating a response on both ends of the floor.
[ALSO READ: Chot Reyes says Maverick Ahanmisi, Stephen Holt ‘making it very difficult’ for TNT in PBA Finals]
If history serves as any indicator, TNT is well-versed in Finals resilience. During last season’s Governors’ Cup, the team also saw their Finals series tied at 2-2 before winning the critical Game 5 en route to a championship.
With a similar opportunity to seize control, TNT will be relying on their Finals experience and the leadership of Hollis-Jefferson to navigate a high-stakes matchup.
[ALSO READ: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gets real on difference-maker in Game 5 for TNT, Ginebra]
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m., and as the Tropang Giga look to put a dent in Ginebra’s momentum, they’re aiming to replicate their past success by making Game 5 the turning point in the Finals.
[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.]