Ginebra outmaneuvers TNT to take 2-1 PBA Finals lead

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel responded with a dominant 116-102 Game 3 win to go up 2-1 in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on June 7, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After receiving a harsh reality check in Game 2, head coach Tim Cone’s wards retaliated with authority, pulling off a wire-to-wire victory in front of a raucous crowd of 18,607 fans.

Ginebra swingman Stephen Holt set the tone for the team’s dream start, burying his first six attempts from the field to give the Gin Kings an early 19-point advantage, 35-16.

Combined with Justin Brownlee’s all-around game in the first 12 minutes of action, the Gin Kings got what they wanted after a forgettable first half in Game 2, when they managed to score only 33 points in the first two quarters.

The quick Game 3 burst boosted Ginebra’s offensive confidence, as it racked up 59 points at the half for a 59-42 lead.

Aside from Holt and Brownlee, Scottie Thompson’s on-point playmaking helped the Gin Kings withstand an early TNT barrage in the second frame, setting up their super import off pin-down screens at the elbow to restore order.

However, the Tropang 5G didn’t back down from the challenge after inching to within seven points in the fourth quarter, courtesy of a personal scoring display from Chris McCullough.

The former San Miguel Beermen champion import took matters into his own hands and made up for the locals’ off night, especially star small forward Calvin Oftana, who contributed only two points in Game 3 after exploding for 31 points in Game 2.

Unfortunately, a string of turnovers and defensive miscues prevented the Tropang 5G from storming back, beginning with Oftana’s careless pass to McCullough, which Brownlee read perfectly.

The bleeding didn’t stop for TNT after its next two possessions resulted in turnovers, with McCullough fumbling the ball twice, which Ginebra took advantage of.

RJ Abarrientos punished TNT with a stop-and-pop 3-pointer, while Troy Rosario and Brownlee converted baskets off those back-to-back misplays from McCullough.

That effort in trimming the deficit to just seven points was the final push from the Tropang 5G, as Ginebra steamrolled its way through the final five minutes en route to a 14-point Game 3 blowout.

Brownlee was a man on a mission for the Gin Kings after spearheading their barrage with 41 points on efficient 16-of-21 shooting from the field, alongside seven rebounds and seven assists.

Holt, who already had 18 at the half, capped the one-sided Game 3 affair with 23 markers, while Thompson delivered a signature triple-double outing of 17 points, 11 boards, and 11 dimes.

On the other hand, the Tropang 5G received an offensive masterclass from McCullough, who led all scorers with 44 points, but Oftana’s cold shooting night became a huge factor, especially when TNT tried to claw its way back in the final canto.

Ginebra aims to move a win away from grabbing the title, while the Tropang 5G seeks to equalize the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series on June 10, 2026.