PBA Finals: TNT fends off Ginebra rally to level series at 1-1

TNT Tropang 5G’s Calvin Oftana during a game vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—TNT weathered a late Barangay Ginebra rally to take Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, 101-94, at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.

The Tropang 5G led by as many as 22 points before the Gin Kings mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to make it a tight finish.

Fortunately for TNT, it had enough left in the tank to hold off Ginebra and level the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

Coach Chot Reyes, however, was hardly surprised to see the Gin Kings claw their way back.

“We kept reminding the players in the huddle while we were up big not to let their guards down,” said Reyes.

“They’ll always come back and they got some good production from their bench. Their second unit completely outplayed ours so that’s the conversation we’ll have in the dugout tonight.”

TNT was up 92-78 before Ginebra unleashed a 16-6 run to cut the deficit to four, 98-94, on a Justin Brownlee basket with less than a minute left.

But the Gin Kings fumbled their next possession, allowing TNT to push the pace. Calvin Oftana then dashed Ginebra’s comeback hopes by calmly sinking two free throws for a 100-94 lead with 18 seconds remaining.

Oftana finished with a conference-high 31 points and 10 rebounds to lead TNT. Chris McCullough also posted a double-double of 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Jordan Heading added 14 points.

Brownlee had a double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds for Ginebra, while RJ Abarrientos scored 21. Jeremiah Gray and Isaac Go chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively, off the bench.