Ginebra outlasts TNT to capture PBA Commissioner’s Cup title

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The coronation is complete.

On June 17, 2026, Barangay Ginebra cleared the TNT Tropang 5G hurdle after taking them down in the do-or-die Game 7, 88-76, to bag the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship title at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The huge Game 7 win not only ended the Gin Kings’ three-year PBA title drought but also snapped Ginebra’s import-laced conference finals series losing streak to TNT, which dated back to the 2023 Governors’ Cup.

TNT struck first and embraced the Ginebra-filled arena, silencing the crowd with a combined scoring barrage from RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading, and Chris McCullough.

Head coach Chot Reyes displayed a masterful adjustment by hiding McCullough in the dunker’s spot, which saw Pogoy handle the rock and Heading act as a decoy in the elbow.

With this offensive execution, McCullough had early touches in the paint, while Pogoy had plenty of options to operate with a swing pass to Heading for a wide-open 3-pointer or a roll to their import.

TNT enjoyed holding the lead in the first 34 minutes by executing the three-man scheme at will, but the Gin Kings finally had an answer inside the final five minutes of the third when Ginebra head coach Tim Cone countered with a 1-3-1 zone defense.

It was indeed a grueling chess match for both chief tacticians, as Reyes’ weave action involving his three star players had its rhythm disrupted by a systematic Ginebra zone that forced TNT’s offense to revolve around outside shooting.

After consecutive defensive stops, Ginebra leaned on Scottie Thompson’s brilliance as the newly crowned Finals MVP dropped five straight points to put his team back in the driver’s seat, 66-63, with 1:29 remaining in the third quarter.

The momentum then shifted entirely in favor of Ginebra as Justin Brownlee held the fort, burying much-needed baskets that fended off another potential TNT comeback barrage.

TNT showed some signs of life after McCullough’s tough drive to the basket pulled them within three points, 77-74, but Ginebra countered with an early dagger courtesy of Nards Pinto’s clutch 3-pointer from the left corner for an 80-74 advantage.

In the final three minutes of regulation, Ginebra smelled blood, closing out the Game 7 rubber match with an 8-2 run to formalize its return to the PBA pedestal.

Brownlee saved the best for last after leading the Ginebra charge with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, while Thompson nearly tallied a triple-double performance of 19 markers, 11 boards, and eight dimes.

“Thank you to the beautiful fans, they gave us energy,” Brownlee said after winning the championship.

“Got to give a lot of credit to TNT. We were down, they gave us a battle, but coach Tim just kept saying this is our time. It means everything. I’m just trying to do the best I can and play for my family at 38 years old and win a championship.”