TNT is back in driver's seat.
Their endgame chase foiled the last time, the Tropang Giga took their turn to win a tight finish Wednesday night, pulling off an 87-85 decision for the two-games-to-one lead in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Gin Kings put in full display their never-say-die attitude in playing minus the injury-hit Justin Brownlee in the last 18 minutes of the game, but the Tropang Giga won't be denied, escaping through on clutch hits by Rey Nambatac and Glenn Khobuntin.
"I told the players we're going to see the best of Ginebra even without Justin. We have to be at our best. I reminded them how strong and deep that team is. And when they went up by three, we didn't panic and that's the turning point," said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
Brownlee, suffering a suspected dislocated right thumb in the 6:42 mark of the third quarter, was brought to the hospital even before the game came to an end. He's likely to be a doubtful starter for Game Four set at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Friday.
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Great hustle plays led to a three-point play from Nambatac then a breakaway layup from Khobuntin as the Tropang Giga shattered an 82-all deadlock and scored a second win in the series following a 95-89 victory in Game 1.
In his finest hours in the pros, Nambatac came through with a team-high 24 points with 5-of-7 three-pointers plus seven assists and five rebounds against four turnovers.
The former Letran spitfire himself led their charge in a fightback from nine-point deficit late in the first half.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered a near triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, but had his biggest impact on hustles and defensive stops that made things happen for TNT in the clutch.
From a defensive gem by Kelly Williams that forced RJ Abarrientos to a costly error, RHJ picked up the loose ball and threw a fastbreak that sent Khobuntin finishing what proved to be the game-winner.
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Falling behind 82-87 with 14.4 ticks left, the Gin Kings actually were still able to trim the gap to two on a triple from Scottie Thompson. But they didn't find a chance anymore to stop the Tropang Giga from getting back in the driver's seat in the series.
Brownlee had had 19 markers, six assists and four rebounds before taking the exit. (SB)
The scores:
TNT 87 - Nambatac 24, Hollis-Jefferson 20, Oftana 16, Khobuntin 10, Pogoy 8, Erram 5, Aurin 4, Williams 0, Heruela 0.
Ginebra 85 - Brownlee 19, Thompson 15, Rosario 13, Abarrientos 13, Malonzo 11, J.Aguilar 6, Holt 5, Ahanmisi 3.
Quarterscores: 17-17, 42-48, 72-66, 87-85
