Barangay Ginebra San Miguel superstar Justin Brownlee against TNT Tropang 5G‘s Roger Pogoy in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. PBA Images.
MANILA (UPDATED) — It took another herculean effort from Justin Brownlee to steer Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to its latest heart-stopping victory in the PBA Finals.
The resident import fired a PBA career-high 54 points to lift the Gin Kings over TNT Tropang 5G in overtime, 100-95, in Game 5 of the Season 50 Commissioner's Cup championship round in front of 18,039 fans on Independence Day at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
"We just really showed that 'Never Say Die' attitude tonight," said Brownlee, who also had 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block in over 51 minutes of action.
Brownlee even scored 17 of his total output during Ginebra's seven-point comeback in the fourth period, but the recently crowned Best Import of the Conference warned against complacency as they head into Game 6.
"Now we get [a virtual] twice-to-beat. Of course, with a team like TNT, it's hard to close the series out, but we're ready," added Brownlee.
Ginebra could complete its redemption campaign on Sunday, 7:30 p.m., still at the Big Dome. According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, 54 of the 70 teams that took 3-2 leads in a best-of-seven PBA Finals went on to win the title (77%) — 40 in six games and 14 in seven.
There, the Gin Kings will hope Brownlee can replicate his heroics once more.
After helping Ginebra erase its deficit in the fourth canto, Brownlee continued his onslaught to force overtime, while RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario eventually gave the Gin Kings a 98-94 lead with under two minutes left in the game.
And while this gave TNT enough time to recover, Chris McCullough only got his squad to within three, 98-95, with 1:20 remaining. He and Roger Pogoy also missed consecutive three-point attempts on the ensuing possessions.
Scottie Thompson then secured a crucial defensive rebound with under 20 seconds left, while Abarrientos pushed the lead to five from the foul line, 100-95, to effectively seal the win.
Abarrientos finished with 13 points, four assists, and two rebounds. Japeth Aguilar scored 12, while Rosario added 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Thompson chipped in six points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Meanwhile, McCullough led TNT with 38 points and 16 rebounds. Unfortunately for the Tropang 5G, those were not enough as they squandered an 11-point cushion in the second half.
Pogoy added 23 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Jordan Heading and Jayson Castro chipped in 13 and six, respectively. Unfortunately, all three players missed crucial baskets that could have changed the fortunes of the Tropang 5G.
The Scores (OT):
Ginebra 100 – Brownlee 54, Abarrientos 13, J.Aguilar 12, Rosario 10, Thompson 6, Holt 2, Abis 2, Pinto 1, Torres 0, Cu 0, Gray 0.
TNT 95 – McCullough 38, Pogoy 23, Heading 13, Oftana 9, Castro 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Nambatac 2, Galinato 2, Williams 0, Khobuntin 0.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 48-50, 75-70, 89-89, 100-95.