BARANGAY Ginebra is one away from reclaiming the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Justin Brownlee hopes to get the job done.

With a 3-2 lead over the TNT Tropang Giga in the best-of-seven title showdown, Brownlee and the Gin Kings now have two chances to make it.

The Kings get their first chance in Game 6 on Wednesday at the same venue.

Ginebra is actually looking to nail their first crown since their memorable title campaign in the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup against the Bay Area Dragons.

Last Sunday, Brownlee scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half to power Ginebra to a tense 71-66 victory over TNT in Game 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Brownlee, who went 9-of-15 from the floor, added 14 rebounds and five assists in 45 minutes of action for the Tim Cone-mentored Kings.

Scottie Thompson also stepped up in a big way for Ginebra, as he added a double-double 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to the deligh tof a pre-dominantly Ginbera crowd of 12,447.

Veteran Japeth Aguilar and Maverick Ahanmisi contributed with 11 points each for Ginebra, which also defeated the Tropang Giga, 95-78, in Game 4.

Jamie Malonzo had six points and 10 rebounds.

Before that two-game winning streak, TNT dominated two of the first three games of the series.

Three-time Best Import awardee Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Rey Nambatac finished with 19 points each in a losing effort for the Tropang Giga of coach Chot Reyes.

Hollis-Jefferson, however, struggled with only 7-of-26 shooting in the face of Ginebra’s rock-solid defense.

Hollis-Jefferson also had and 12 rebounds in 47 minutes of action.

Nambatac had 6-of-11 shooting from the floor.

Hollis-Jefferson admitted responsibility to the Tropang Giga’s setback despite leading by as many as 10 points at the half.

“Me gambling on something I shouldn’t gamble on. Turning the ball over. Me missing those easy shots in the paint,” said Hollis-Jefferson.

“That’s focused. That’s 100 percent on us, us players. It’s about being locked in.”

He added, “Chot (Reyes) said it to us, it’s about our mentality going into those crucial moments. Turnover. Wrong read on a defensive play. Allowing someone to reject the screen. All 48 minutes, whether we go up or not. Just staying locked in.”

The scores:

Ginebra (73) — Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, J.Aguilar 11, Ahanmisi 11, Rosario 6, Malonzo 6, Holt 3, Abarrientos 2, Tenorio 0.
TNT (66) — Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Oftana 8, Pogoy 8, Aurin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Williams 0, Exciminiano 0, Khobuntin 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66.

Game Wednesday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7:30 p.m.– TNT vs. Barangay Ginebra

The results:

Game 1 — TNT 95, Ginebra 89
Game 2 — Ginebra 71, TNT 70
Game 3 –TNT 87, Ginebra 85
Game 4 — Ginebra 95, TNT 78.
Game 5 — Ginebra 73, TNT 66.
(Ginebra leads series, 3-2)

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya