Barangay Ginebra San Miguel ended a three-year title drought on Wednesday night, defeating TNT Tropang 5G, 88-76, in a winner-take-all Game 7 to claim the Season 50 PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship.
A packed crowd of 24,617 at the Mall of Asia Arena witnessed the Gin Kings capture their 16th franchise title, successfully unseating the defending champions.
Familiar hero Justin Brownlee spearheaded the comeback victory, racking up 29 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists to help Ginebra overcome an early nine-point deficit.
Scottie Thompson provided massive support with an all-around stat line of 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Thompson’s high-energy play anchored a decisive third-quarter surge that shifted momentum entirely in favor of the Gin Kings.
TNT refused to go quietly in the final period, keeping the pressure high until Ginebra found its rhythm from beyond the arc. Nards Pinto buried a critical corner triple with just over three minutes left on the clock, pushing the Ginebra lead to 80-74.
Though Chris McCullough quickly answered with a basket on the ensuing possession to keep TNT within striking distance, rookie playmaker RJ Abarrientos retaliated with a cold-blooded three-pointer of his own. Abarrientos’ clutch shot effectively iced the game and secured the championship crown.
McCullough led the Tropang 5G with 24 points, while teammate Jordan Heading chipped in 21 markers in the losing effort.
The victory solidifies Barangay Ginebra’s storied legacy as one of the most dominant and widely supported franchises in Philippine basketball history.