TNT fights back, evens PBA Finals, 2-2

Sports

THE 50th PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals is down to a race-to-two showdown after the TNT Tropang 5G downed the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 106-98, on Wednesday night, June 10, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The defending champions Tropa tied the series at two games apiece, taking Game 4 behind Jordan Heading, who came off the bench to fire 29 points.

The title duel has become a back and forth affair with Ginebra winning Game 1, 102-100, and TNT taking Game 2, 101-94. The Kings topped Game 3, 116-102.

Prior to Game 4, Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos received the Best Import and the Best Player of the Conference awards, respectively.

Led by Heading, TNT spoiled Brownlee and Abarrientos’ special night by staging a blazing third-quarter run that saw them turn a 50-53 halftime deficit into a 75-68 lead going into the final quarter.

Heading went 5-of-7 from three-point range. One of his triples shoved the Tropa to a huge 87-70 lead inside the final six minutes.

Import Chris McCullough also produced big numbers for TNT as he tallied 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Game 5 of the series will be on Friday, June 12, with the two squads eyeing a crucial 3-2 advantage.

THE SCORES:

TNT (106) – Heading 29, McCullough 24, Castro 14, Oftana 12, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Nambatac 7, Galinato 5, Pogoy 5, Khobuntin 0.

GINEBRA (98) – Brownlee 32, Abarrientos 21, J.Aguilar 12, Rosario 11, Holt 5, Thompson 4, Abis 4, Pinto 4, Gray 3, Cu 2, Go 0.QUARTERSCORES: 16-21, 50-53, 75-68, 106-98.(CCM)