As I sit down to analyze today's thrilling PBA matchup between TNT and Barangay Ginebra, I can't help but reflect on how quickly the narrative shifts in professional basketball. Just last week, both teams were dealing with disappointing losses that had fans questioning their championship credentials. But watching tonight's game unfold, I realized what Coach Meneses meant when he said those previous losses don't matter anymore - the man celebrated his 43rd birthday in Iloilo with his team, and tonight, they played like they'd left all their baggage behind them.
The final score showed TNT emerging victorious with 112 points against Ginebra's 108 in what turned out to be one of the most electrifying fourth quarters I've witnessed this season. The numbers themselves tell an incredible story - TNT shot 48% from the field while Ginebra managed 45%, but the real difference came from beyond the arc where TNT connected on 15 three-pointers compared to Ginebra's 9. Mikey Williams was absolutely sensational, dropping 34 points with 7 three-pointers, while Roger Pogoy added 28 points of his own. On the Ginebra side, Justin Brownlee put up his usual stellar performance with 32 points and 11 rebounds, but it just wasn't enough to overcome TNT's offensive explosion in the final minutes.
What impressed me most about TNT's performance was their resilience in the face of Ginebra's relentless comeback attempts. Three separate times in the fourth quarter, Ginebra managed to tie the game, and each time TNT responded with crucial baskets. There was this incredible sequence with about three minutes left where Jayson Castro, who's been playing like he's still in his prime despite being 36 years old, hit back-to-back baskets to give TNT a four-point cushion they would never relinquish. I've followed Castro's career since his early days, and watching him take over games like this never gets old.
The game really turned during the third quarter when TNT went on a 15-2 run over a four-minute span. Ginebra's defense, which had been so effective in the first half, completely collapsed during that stretch. They committed 5 turnovers in that quarter alone, and TNT capitalized on every single one. Coach Tim Cone's timeout with 6:32 left in the third was clearly meant to stop the bleeding, but TNT's momentum was just too strong. From my perspective, Ginebra's biggest mistake was abandoning their inside game - Christian Standhardinger only took 8 shots the entire game despite having a significant size advantage in the paint.
Looking at the individual performances, I have to give special mention to TNT's Kelly Williams, who at 41 years old contributed 12 points and 9 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. His energy off the bench was infectious, and his two crucial blocks in the fourth quarter absolutely shifted the game's momentum. On the Ginebra side, Scottie Thompson's triple-double of 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists was remarkable, though I felt he forced a few shots down the stretch when better options were available.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric, especially during the final two minutes when every possession felt like it could decide the game. With 1:14 remaining and TNT up by three, Brownlee missed a potential game-tying three-pointer that would have brought the house down. On the ensuing possession, TNT ran down the shot clock before Williams hit a contested jumper to extend the lead to five with just 38 seconds left. From my seat watching the broadcast, you could see the desperation in Ginebra's play as they rushed their next possession, resulting in a turnover that essentially sealed their fate.
What this victory means for TNT's season can't be overstated. They've now won 7 of their last 8 games and are positioning themselves as legitimate championship contenders. For Ginebra, it's back to the drawing board, though with their talent and coaching, I have no doubt they'll bounce back. The beauty of basketball, as Coach Meneses recently demonstrated with his birthday celebration putting past losses behind him, is that every game offers a fresh start. Tonight belonged to TNT, but knowing these two teams, their next matchup will likely deliver another classic that could go either way.
