WHAT a Christmas treat for the fans as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel defeated TNT Tropang Giga 86-78 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Christmas day game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Scottie Thompson, the former PBA Most Valuable Player, delivered critical baskets to propel the Gin Kings to the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. The Gin Kings now have a 6-3 record and are vying for the fourth spot.
After trailing 74-71 in the fourth quarter, the Gin Kings sparked an 8-0 run, with Thompson completing it with an offensive rebound and a putback.
Thompson drained back-to-back dagger triples, the last with 31.2 seconds remaining on the clock, to give Tropang Giga an 85-78 lead.
Tropang Giga, however, was missing superstar import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and veteran guard Jayson Castro.
The Gin Kings were struggling from deep, which was unusual for them.
“When your offense struggles, you have to rely on your defense, and that’s something that we’re well versed in. That’s why I think we’re able to stay in this game, despite our poor shooting, and still find a way to win,” said head coach Tim Cone.
Thompson finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Christian Standhardinger led the way with 22 points, ten rebounds, and six assists on nine field goals inside the paint.
“Maganda ‘yung naging defense namin down the stretch, luckily I made the shots,” Thompson added, crediting their resilience to TNT’s offense, which he felt opened the path for victory.
Calvin Oftana led TNT with a game-high 27 points and five rebounds, but it was insufficient as they fell short in the game. Ponferrada had 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench, and Khobuntin chipped in with 13.
With the setback, TNT is now in desperate need of a win in its next two games to avoid complicating its playoff bid after falling into a tie for eighth place with Rain or Shine, both of which have identical 4-5 records.
