Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee delivered in the clutch as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel edged TNT Tropang Giga, 73-66, in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The dynamic duo combined for the Gin Kings’ final 12 points, turning a tight contest into a statement win that gave Ginebra a 3-2 series lead—their first of the Finals.
Brownlee, who struggled in the first half with just two points, came alive in the second half to finish with 18 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Thompson added 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a crucial block, playing through a hand injury sustained in Game 3.
Despite trailing by 10 at halftime, Ginebra surged back in the second half, capped by Brownlee’s buzzer-beating floater to grab a 57-56 edge entering the fourth. TNT kept the game close with key plays from Kim Aurin, but Ginebra’s 12-2 finishing kick, highlighted by Thompson’s consecutive floaters, sealed the deal.
Final Score:
Barangay Ginebra 73 – Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, J. Aguilar 11, Ahanmisi 11
TNT 66 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Aurin 8
Quarters: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66