WITH a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series, TNT and Barangay Ginebra hope to finally get the job done and arrange an interesting title showdown in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Buoyed by a 93-85 victory over hard-fighting Rain or Shine in Game 4 last Wednesday, the Tropang Giga gun for another victory in their 5 p.m.encounter and close out their semifinal series.

TNT coach Chot Reyes aid his players will be ready in their close out mission against a tough opponent like the Elasto Painters.

“We talked about it and we know that it’s going to be a very difficult series for us,”said Reyes after the game.

“But like I said, we’re very grateful to be in this position, grateful that we get to do this. We chose this, pinili namin pumasok sa semis and to compete and this is part of the deal.”

Ginebra will also be going for the kill against the Batang Pier in the 7:30 p.m. showdown.

Despite dropping a close 103-108 decision to NorthPort last Wednesday, Ginebra remains in firm control of their separate series.

The Tim Cone-mentored Kings are actually looking for a quick recovery and not allow the Batang Pier another opportunity to extend the series.

Last Wednesday, the high-scoring duo of Kadeem Jack and Arvin Tolentino combining for 59 points to help the team of coach Bonnie Tan avoid losing by a sweep.

Jack finished with 39 points on 17-of-29 shooting from the field, along with 15 rebounds and five assists while playing the entire game.

Tolentino nearly recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, and four steals.

Will Navarro was the third man on the scoring parade as he contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Joshua Munzon and Paolo Taha chipped in with 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos led the losing effort for the Gin Kings of coach Tim Cone with 18 points each.

Troy Rosario added a double-double performance of 17 points and 13 rebounds while Stephen Holt contributed h 15 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Jamie Malonzo, Scottie Thompson, and veteran Japeth Aguilar had 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively.

NorthPort led 104-93 before Ginebra mounted a 10-0 run, trimming the deficit to just one, 103-104, with 36.8 seconds remaining.

Jack, however, responded with a clutch fadeaway jumper to extend the Batang Pier’s lead to 106-103 with 18 seconds left.

Brownlee opted for a quick two but missed an open layup, while Stephen Holt misfired on a three-pointer off an offensive rebound that could have tied the game.

Tolentino then sealed the win with two free throws, while Abarrientos missed a desperation four-point attempt before time expired.

Meanwhile, the 1-2 punch of Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy led the Tropang Giga to a commanding 3-1 lead in their own best-of-seven semifinals series.

Oftana topscored with 26 points, four assists and three rebounds while Pogoy had 22 points and four rebounds.

Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 17 points

The scores:

Northport (108) – Jack 39, Tolentino 20, Navarro 16, Munzon 14, Taha 11, Nelle 3, Bulanadi 3, Miranda 2, Onwubere 0.
Ginebra (103) – Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 18, Rosario 17, Holt 15, Malonzo 12, Thompson 11, J.Aguilar 10, Ahanmisi 2, Gray 0, Cu 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 54-50, 84-74, 108-103.

Second game

TNT (93) – Oftana 26, Pogoy 22, Hollis-Jefferson 17, Nambatac 12, Aurin 9, Erram 4, Williams 3, Razon 0, Khobuntin 0.
Rain or Shine (85) – Thompson 44, Datu 8, Asistio 8, Caracut 6, Tiongson 6, Clarito 5, Nocum 4, Mamauyac 4, Norwood 0, Santillan 0.
Quarterscores: 26-21, 53-43, 73-67, 93-85.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya