Barangay Ginebra San Miguel withstood a furious late-game rally from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to pull off a gritty 103-98 victory, seizing a crucial 2-1 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals.
While the usual suspects delivered down the stretch, it was veteran guard Scottie Thompson who served as the Gin Kings’ anchor, putting on a masterful performance with 25 points and 7 rebounds to keep the Elasto Painters at bay.
The opening half was a classic postseason dogfight. Rain or Shine, fueled by the explosive tandem of import Jalen Johnson and rising star Adrian Nocum, matched Ginebra blow for blow in a continuous, nip-and-tuck affair.
However, the third quarter proved to be the turning point. Ginebra found their rhythm, orchestrating a signature run to break the game open and build a comfortable cushion.
The Elasto Painters refused to fade quietly. Down in the final two minutes, Rain or Shine unleashed a desperate, high-octane run to breathe life back into their campaign and cut the deficit.
But Ginebra’s championship pedigree ultimately prevailed:
- Timely Sniping: Resident import Justin Brownlee hit a series of cold-blooded, momentum-halting buckets just as ROS threatened to close the gap.
- Ice in His Veins: Newly acquired guard Stephen Holt showed nerves of steel, calmly sinking ice-cold free throws in the dying seconds to officially seal the victory.
With a 2-1 series advantage, Barangay Ginebra now sits just one win away from securing a spot in the Finals.