Barangay Ginebra reclaimed its place at the top of Philippine basketball after securing an 88-76 victory over longtime rivals TNT in Game 7 of the PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals last Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The win not only ended the Gin Kings’ three-year championship drought but also served as redemption for their three consecutive Finals losses to the Chot Reyes-led TNT squad.
As Ginebra celebrates its 16th championship in Asia’s oldest professional basketball league, here are three key takeaways from the Gin Kings’ hard-fought Game 7 triumph.
Gin Kings locals played well
Justin Brownlee, who finished with 30 points in Game 7, has long been Ginebra’s primary offensive weapon, particularly in crucial moments.
However, when the team’s local players consistently contribute on the scoring end, the Gin Kings become extremely difficult to stop.
That was on full display in Game 7, where three Ginebra locals reached double-digit scoring figures.
Scottie Thompson posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds while adding eight assists, earning his third Finals MVP award.
Meanwhile, RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario provided valuable support, each scoring 13 points in the decisive matchup.
The winner-take-all contest highlighted that Brownlee does not have to carry the entire scoring load for Ginebra to succeed.
Even reserve guard Nards Pinto stepped up in a key moment, knocking down a crucial three-pointer after both teams went scoreless for two minutes late in the fourth quarter.
The victory underscored just how formidable Ginebra can be when the team receives meaningful contributions beyond its star import.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: New York Knicks overpower San Antonio Spurs to claim third NBA title
The strategy vs. CMac worked
Coach Tim Cone’s tactical brilliance became evident in the later stages of the game as his defensive and offensive adjustments against TNT import Chris McCullough began to take effect.
Rather than relying solely on Brownlee to create opportunities, Cone instructed his big men, Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario, to aggressively attack the rim whenever McCullough was protecting the paint.
The approach forced TNT into foul trouble and led to an early accumulation of fouls for C-Mac.
This adjustment came after Ginebra’s disappointing Game 6 defeat, where McCullough’s athleticism and scoring ability proved decisive in the closing moments.
When McCullough returned to the court, his foul situation limited his defensive aggressiveness, allowing Ginebra to execute its pick-and-roll plays more effectively and attack the basket with greater confidence and success.
Jordan Heading: TNT’s X factor
Despite suffering a painful defeat, TNT can remain optimistic about the future after discovering a dependable scoring option in Heading.
When McCullough was forced to the bench after picking up his fourth foul in the third quarter, Heading stepped up and kept Tropang 5G competitive, knocking down consecutive three-pointers to help TNT build a seven-point advantage.
He ended the game with 21 points and three rebounds, delivering valuable offensive production alongside McCullough, especially with veteran guard Jayson Castro unavailable.
Heading’s potential appears limitless, as he has already established himself as a reliable scorer and capable playmaker for Tropang 5G during the early stages of his PBA journey.
READ NEXT: 2026/27 season fixtures announced as Arsenal eye title defence
Newsjustnews writers 
Jheruleene Anne Ramos