TNT crowns itself champion for the second straight time in the PBA Governors' Cup, beating Ginebra in comeback fashion in Game 6.
TNT continues to reign supreme in the PBA Governors’ Cup after outlasting Brgy. Ginebra in Game 6, 95-85, on Friday, Nov. 8 at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Down by eight points to start the fourth quarter, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson carried the Tropang Giga on his back to secure the 4-2 series victory over the Gin Kings.
This is TNT’s second straight Governors’ Cup title after also defeating Ginebra in six games in the Season 47 edition of this tournament.
Hollis-Jefferson finished with 31 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in the championship-clinching win, making it two PBA titles on top of his two Best Import awards in the PBA. RHJ also made it 2-0 against Ginebra counterpart Justin Brownlee in PBA Finals showdowns.
Down two, 83-85, TNT held Ginebra scoreless in the last 4:57 of the conference, closing the title with a 12-0 run. Kelly Williams and RHJ scored the next eight straight points for the Tropang Giga, then RR Pogoy provided the finishing touch with a booming three to make it 94-85 with 53.7 seconds left.
After RHJ, PBA Finals MVP Jayson Castro added 13 points and six assists for TNT, who secure its 10th PBA title. Pogoy also added 13 points for the Tropang Giga. First-time champion Rey Nambatac was the other TNT player in double figures with 12 points.
TNT zoomed to an early lead, taking a 10-point advantage in the first half. But Ginebra came alive thanks to RJ Abarrientos, who poured 18 points in the second quarter.
The Gin Kings continued to dominate through the third, leading by as many as 11 points. However, TNT turned the tide in the final quarter, limiting Ginebra to just 11 points to take the title.
Abarrientos finished with 31 points in the loss, which are a career and playoff high so far in his young PBA career. Justin Browlee added 16 points for the Gin Kings.