Ginebra vs TNT – PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Live Update

The 2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals has reached its dramatic climax as Barangay Ginebra and TNT square off in a winner-take-all Game 7 at the Araneta Coliseum. With the series tied 3-3, both teams fought tooth and nail in a high-stakes showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

First Quarter: TNT Sets the Tone

TNT came out aggressive, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (RHJ) opening the scoring with two free throws. The Tropang Giga’s defense stifled Ginebra early, forcing turnovers and converting them into fastbreak points.

Key Moments:

• TNT 8-2: Rey Nambatac heated up with a mid-range jumper, extending TNT’s early lead.
• TNT 14-6: RHJ showcased his offensive arsenal with a smooth fadeaway jumper.
• Ginebra Responds: Scottie Thompson drilled the Gin Kings’ first three-pointer, cutting the deficit to 14-9.
• Nambatac Stays Hot: The former ROS guard buried a catch-and-shoot triple, pushing TNT’s lead to 21-12.

End of 1st Quarter: TNT 22, Ginebra 16

TNT controlled the pace, with RHJ (8 pts) and Nambatac (6 pts) leading the charge. Ginebra struggled offensively, relying on Thompson and Japeth Aguilar to keep them within striking distance.

Second Quarter: Ginebra Fights Back

The Gin Kings started the quarter with renewed energy, unleashing a 10-0 run to tie the game at 22-22. Justin Brownlee (mid-range jumper) and Stephen Holt (three-pointer) spearheaded the rally.

Key Moments:

• Ginebra Takes First Lead (29-28): Troy Rosario’s layup gave the crowd reason to erupt.
• TNT Answers: Roger Pogoy silenced Ginebra’s momentum with a clutch buzzer-beating three (31-29).
• Nambatac Stays Unstoppable: The guard scored 7 straight points, including a floater and another triple (38-29).
• Brownlee Keeps Ginebra Alive: The veteran import responded with back-to-back threes (38-35).
• RHJ’s Exclamation Point: The TNT import soared for a monster dunk over Japeth Aguilar to close the half (40-35).

Halftime: TNT 40, Ginebra 35

• TNT’s Leaders: RHJ (12 pts, 5 reb), Nambatac (13 pts), Pogoy (7 pts)
• Ginebra’s Standouts: Brownlee (11 pts), Thompson (7 pts, 3 ast), Aguilar (6 pts, 5 reb)

TNT’s three-point shooting (5/12) and transition play gave them the edge, while Ginebra relied on second-chance points to stay close.

Game 6 Recap: How We Got Here

TNT forced Game 7 with a gritty 87-83 win in Game 6, led by:

• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (29 pts, 13 reb, 6 ast)
• Rey Nambatac (23 pts, 9/14 FG)
• Poy Erram (14 pts, 10 in the 4th quarter)

Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee was efficient (22 pts, 9/10 FG), but TNT’s defense clamped down in the final minutes.

What’s at Stake?

• For TNT: A chance to win their second straight title this season.
• For Ginebra: Their first championship since 2023—and a historic 7th PBA crown for Brownlee, breaking the tie with Alaska legend Sean Chambers for most titles by an import.

Second Half Preview: Who Will Take Control?

• TNT must sustain their hot shooting and limit Ginebra’s transition game.
• Ginebra needs more from their bench and tighter perimeter defense on Nambatac and Pogoy.

With everything on the line, expect a heart-stopping finish in what could be one of the most memorable Game 7s in PBA history.