TNT escapes late Ginebra gasp to force Game 7 in PBA Comm's Cup Finals

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson quickly redeemed himself to help TNT seal the Game 6 win. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--TNT heaved a sigh of relief in the end after Ginebra's last gasp fell short and conceded an 87-83 result in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals in front of 17,654 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.

The Tropang Giga were holding to an 85-80 lead with 16 seconds left when Scottie Thompson hit a tough three-pointer that cut the lead down to two with 10 seconds remaining.

The Gin Kings thought they had a chance to at least force overtime when Rondae Hollis-Jefferson missed two free throws with nine seconds to go, but Poy Erram grabbed the offensive rebound and gave the ball back to Hollis-Jefferson, who bounced back by going 2-for-2 in his next trip to the charity stripe to up the lead back to four.

TNT's ploy to quickly foul a Ginebra player to prevent a four-pointer from happening appeared to have paid off when Maverick Ahanmisi missed his first free throw with 4.5 seconds left.

Ahanmisi decided to intentionally miss the second charity, and Japeth Aguilar grabbed the offensive rebound, but Thompson badly missed a hurried heave from four-point range as time ran out.

Hollis-Jefferson led TNT with 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, while Rey Nambatac added 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, and three steals.

Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 22 points on 9-for-10 field goals, seven rebounds, and four assists, but he was 2-of-6 on free throws and committed seven turnovers.

With the Tropang Giga tying the series, 3-3, Game 7 will be played on Friday night back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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