Ginebra’s escape act

TNT could’ve raced to a 2-0 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals but dropping Game 2 to Barangay Ginebra by a solitary point at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last Sunday was something that coach Chot Reyes wouldn’t lose sleep over. Reyes’ consolation was despite a four-point meltdown in the second quarter, the Tropa stormed back from 15 down to take the driver’s seat, 70-67, with 2:31 to go.

But down the stretch, coach Tim Cone went back to basics and delivered a strong statement that Ginebra remains the PBA’s top defensive team. Time was down to 46.9 seconds with Ginebra on top, 71-70 and TNT failed to even make an attempt on two possessions. After advancing the ball off a timeout, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson couldn’t pull the trigger and TNT was slapped a shot-clock violation. On the next play, Justin Brownlee missed a jumper but Scottie Thompson grabbed the offensive rebound only to throw a bad pass that was intercepted by Calvin Oftana. The ball rolled out of bounds and TNT retained possession with 7.3 seconds left. The inbound pass went to RHJ who was defended by Stephen Holt and doubled by Thompson. RHJ couldn’t put up a shot as time ran out in Ginebra’s escape act.

TNT’s resilience was evident when the Tropa unloaded a 14-3 bomb to reverse an eight-point deficit to a three-point advantage, highlighted by RHJ’s three-point play and triples by Oftana, Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy. In the end, it was a resurgent Brownlee who bailed out Ginebra, scoring the last four points inside the final two minutes. In Game 1 which TNT took last Friday, Brownlee had a poor start, scoring six points in the first quarter and ended up with 28. In Game 2, he took over early, firing 11 in the opening frame and finishing with 35 points.

For TNT, the troops stayed in the fight even as Ginebra threatened to pull away in the first half. Reyes had an unsuccessful challenge and TNT weathered the storm of two technical fouls to remain standing in the homestretch. For Ginebra, it was all about defense, holding TNT to .329 from the field and 6-of-31 from three for a lowly .194 mark. In Game 1, TNT shot .423 from the floor and knocked down 14-of-37 triples for a .378 clip. Containing RHJ was a key. Holt, Jamie Malonzo and Brownlee took turns shadowing RHJ who fired 34 in Game 1, down to 25 in Game 2.

With the series knotted at a win apiece, it now becomes a race to three. Ginebra latched on to Brownlee’s broad shoulders in Game 2 but in Game 3, Cone’s bench must do its share of heavy lifting. TNT’s confidence got a boost despite losing Game 2 because it showed grit under fire. Which team will prove tougher in Game 3 at the PhilSports Arena tomorrow night?