The TNT Tropang Giga put an finish to Barangay Ginebra’s two-year reign, profitable the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup after eking out a 97-93 victory in Game 6 of their best-of-seven finals collection on Friday on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga have now collected their first Governors’ Cup title in franchise historical past whereas ending the Gin Kings’ dominance after the latter gained two of the final editions.
Mikey Williams did what he does greatest, scoring 38 factors, together with 9-for-18 taking pictures from behind the arc alongside seven rebounds and three assists.
He carried TNT within the third interval, which ended with the Tropang Giga holding on to a slim 77-73 lead because the Filipino-American guard was already at 35-point mark earlier than the fourth.
But Ginebra confirmed its ‘Never Say Die’ spirit, rallying again from an eight-point deficit to drag to inside one after back-to-back baskets from Christian Standhardinger, 84-83, earlier than they regained the lead off a Jeremiah Gray bucket, 89-87.
Jamie Malonzo’s slam put Ginebra up 93-92 earlier than Williams buried a cold-blooded triple for a two-point lead for TNT with 1:15 left to play.
Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson then made a troublesome layup, however missed out on it to provide Ginebra the possession with 10 ticks left.
Justin Brownlee had the possibility to tie issues up however he went vast on a mid-range jumper over the protection of Glenn Khobuntin as Hollis-Jefferson put the ending kick with two free throws.
Williams’ explosive recreation got here at precisely the correct time as RR Pogoy sat out the sport with an damage.
Hollis-Jefferson additionally got here up large for TNT with 27 markers, 13 boards, six dimes, and two steals to spoil Brownlee’s return after his early exit from Game 5 as a result of an upset abdomen.
Four Ginebra gamers reached double-digit scoring with Brownlee pacing the crew with 29 factors, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists whereas Scottie Thompson and Malonzo chipped in 20 and 21 markers apiece.
This is TNT’s ninth general title and second within the final two years after additionally dominating the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
