TNT defensive lynchpin Glenn Khobuntin proved he can do more inside the court, helping the Tropang Giga win Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals with his clutch play.
Without Jayson Castro and with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson playing through a couple of injuries, the rest of the TNT locals rose to the occasion in their 87-83 overtime win in Game 7 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday, March 28.
Among them, most notably, was Glenn Khobuntin.
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Khobuntin made a series of clutch baskets in the final seconds of regulation and overtime, including a corner triple that gave the Tropang Giga an 85-79 lead with 2:22 left to play.
“Wala na ako iniisip, Game 7 na yun eh. So kung ano bibitawan, yun na yun. Balik na lang sa defense. Thankful na na-shoot,” he said after the celebration at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Throughout his career, Khobuntin is more known as a defensive lynchpin, and his main job in these Finals was to put pressure on Justin Brownlee whenever the Ginebra import held the ball.
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But for the biggest game of his life, the former UAAP champion with National University did that and more despite feeling the weight of his first Game 7 on his shoulders.
“May kaba syempre kasi tao lang naman tayo,” said Khobuntin, who was working on his shooting hours before tipoff at the Big Dome.
But he eventually learned how to deal with it and keep his composure as the Tropang Giga went on to capture their 11th PBA title.
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“Sobra (halaga na ma-maintain poise) kasi una injured na si RHJ eh. Wala na main scorer namin. Nag-usap na lang kami kung sino yung aggressive, stay aggressive lang. Pag di kaya kick out na lang sa labas. nag pay off naman,” Khobuntin said, who ended up with a crucial 14 points, third on the team in the victory.