Watching Ginebra and TNT battle it out in the semifinals reminded me why I love Philippine basketball—the sheer intensity, the tactical chess match, and those moments when individual brilliance shifts the entire momentum. Having covered numerous PBA conferences over the years, I’ve noticed that certain matchups just have that extra layer of drama, and this one was no exception. Both teams came in with clear game plans, but what stood out to me was how they adapted—or failed to adapt—when the pressure mounted. Let’s break it down, not just as a fan, but from the perspective of someone who’s analyzed dozens of these high-stakes games.
From the opening tip-off, Ginebra’s approach was evident: control the paint and dominate the boards. They crashed the offensive glass relentlessly, and I counted at least four second-chance points in the first quarter alone. Justin Brownlee was, as usual, a maestro in the half-court set, but what impressed me more was how their role players stepped up. Scottie Thompson’s energy on both ends—he finished with around 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, if I recall correctly—gave them that extra push. On the other hand, TNT relied heavily on their perimeter shooting and quick transitions. RR Pogoy and Mikey Williams were firing from deep, and at one point, TNT hit 5 three-pointers in a span of just 7 minutes. I’ve always believed that live-by-the-three, die-by-the-three mantra, and in this game, it played out perfectly. When their shots were falling, TNT looked unstoppable; when they weren’t, Ginebra capitalized.
What really caught my eye, though, was how both teams handled the "do-or-die" mentality, something that echoes the situation of other teams like the Kings and Elasto Painters in their own series. Those squads are fighting to extend their campaigns, and you could see a similar urgency here. Ginebra, in my opinion, executed their defensive switches better, especially in the second half. They forced TNT into contested jumpers, and by the third quarter, TNT’s field goal percentage had dipped to roughly 38%—a number that’s just not going to cut it against a disciplined team like Ginebra. I remember thinking, "This is where coaching makes all the difference." Tim Cone’s adjustments, like putting Japeth Aguilar on pick-and-roll coverage, disrupted TNT’s rhythm. On the flip side, TNT’s defense seemed a step slow, and their rotations left gaps that Ginebra exploited with backdoor cuts.
Offensively, Ginebra’s ball movement was a thing of beauty. They tallied around 24 assists as a team, which speaks volumes about their unselfish play. In contrast, TNT’s offense became predictable down the stretch—too much isolation, not enough ball movement. I’ve always preferred team-oriented basketball, so seeing Ginebra’s extra passes and player movement was satisfying. One play that stood out was a late-game set where Brownlee drew a double-team and kicked it out to an open shooter for a clutch three. That’s winning basketball right there. TNT, meanwhile, seemed to rely on individual heroics, which can work in short bursts but often falters in a seven-game series.
As the game wound down, it was clear that Ginebra’s experience in high-pressure situations gave them the edge. They outrebounded TNT by something like 48-35, and their bench contributed a solid 28 points compared to TNT’s 18. Those numbers might not seem huge, but in a close game, every possession counts. I’ve seen teams like the Elasto Painters and Kings fight similar battles, where extending the series comes down to these small margins—a box-out here, a defensive stop there. For TNT, the loss highlights areas they need to address, like interior defense and consistency from their role players. Personally, I think they’ll bounce back, but Ginebra showed why they’re one of the franchises to beat.
In the end, this game wasn’t just about X’s and O’s; it was a testament to preparation and mental toughness. Ginebra’s ability to stick to their game plan, even when TNT made runs, is what separates good teams from great ones. As a analyst, I’d say if they maintain this level of play, they’re poised for a deep playoff run. For TNT, it’s back to the drawing board, but with their firepower, I wouldn’t count them out just yet. What a game—this is why we watch basketball.