annashay 
- The 2024-2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals featuring Ginebra vs TNT begins March 14 with both sides looking to get a headstart in their best-of-seven series.
- For the third straight PBA Finals meeting between two teams, imports Rondae Hollis Jefferson and Justin Brownlee are at the forefront of the Tropang Giga and the Gin Kings’ championship campaign.
IN PHOTOS: Barangay Ginebra vs TNT (PBA Finals Game 1)
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings coach Tim Cone after Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—It was an all-too-familiar ending for coach Tim Cone and Ginebra Gin Kings on Friday.
Ginebra suffered yet again another Game 1 loss to TNT, 95-89, this time the 2024-2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals opener of the best-of-seven series. miliar for Ginebra.
And Cone, quite simply, is tired of it.
TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during a game against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Instead of pumping his chest after pushing TNT to another whipping Ginebra, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson couldn’t help but give their rivals credit after Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
TNT drew first blood against Ginebra, 95-89, behind another offensive masterclass from Hollis-Jefferson.
SCHEDULE: 2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT
“I want to give credit to Tim and everyone in Ginebra for staying resilient, fighting back and never giving up. It takes a lot to do that,” said the TNT import at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.
TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during a game against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
TNT, save for a shaky few moments in the opening period, played without letup on Friday night to crush Barangay Ginebra, 95-89, and take Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson got going early and played relentlessly until the end of the clash at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, as the Tropang Giga drew first blood in the best-of-seven championship series that also featured their victim in the previous conference.
“The key for us was to get good shots. The entire objective of our offense was to get good shots, and I think that’s what you saw,” said head coach Chot Reyes.
PBA Finals Live Updates: Ginebra vs TNT Game 1
FOURTH QUARTER
- TNT DRAW FIRST BLOOD. FINAL: TNT downs Ginebra in Game 1 of the #PBAFinals, 95-89. Game 2 will be right back here at Mall of Asia Arena this Sunday.
- Ginebra calls for time to plan for its final attempt. Justin Brownlee gets off a shot from the four-point area but no go as time expires.
- RHJ makes 2 freethrows to give TNT some breather with 2.2 seconds left. TNT 95, Ginebra 89.
- RJ Abarrientos with a 4-point conversion! TNT lead down to 4, 89-93, with 6.6 seconds remaining. TNT ball.
- Too little too late for Ginebra? A minute to go and TNT leading by 10. Brownlee cuts it down to 8 with over 30 ticks left.
- TNT regains its 10-point lead after an RHJ fadeaway jumper at the 3:27 mark of the fourth. Tropang Giga lead Ginebra, 91-81.
- Don’t look now! Ginebra making a run here in the fourth. Rosario gets a bucket and a foul on Khobuntin. Khobuntin was also whistled for a tech after flopping. TNT still up, 87-79, with 6:01 to go
- Final quarter to go between Ginebra and TNT in Game 1.
THIRD QUARTER
- Three quarters done in Game 1 and TNT is still in the driver’s seat over Ginebra, 80-66.
- But the Tropang Giga quickly retaliates with Glenn Khobuntin knocking down a 3. TNT 72, Ginebra 60.
- TNT lead down to single digit after a basket from Jamie Malonzo, 69-60.
- Ginebra cuts into TNT lead and pulls within 10, 64-54, midway through the third period.
- Third quarter underway. TNT still has a vice grip on the lead, 64-49, with 6:39 on the clock.
SECOND QUARTER
- TNT with a 55-39 halftime lead over Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leads the way for the Tropang Giga with 23 points
- RHJ is on fire! Already 21 points for the TNT import as they lead Ginebra, 51-37, here in the second with 1:32 left.
- Rondae Hollis Jefferson’s strong move to the hoop and1 puts TNT up 42-28, 5:10.
- TNT still leads Ginebra by double digits, 39-26, with 7 minutes on the clock.
FIRST QUARTER
- Hot-shooting TNT leads Ginebra after the first quarter of Game 1, 29-18.
- TNT trying to take over and opens a 26-18 lead over Ginebra in a little over 1 minute left in the first quarter.
- THREE STRAIGHT triples for Pogoy. TNT leads, 20-14, 3:17 to go in the first.
- Game tied at 9-9 with under 7 minutes to play in the opening period.
- TNT gets on the board courtesy of 3 straight points from RHJ.
- Ginebra opens Game 1 of the PBA Finals with a 5-0 lead.
GILAS CORE 🇵🇭
The trio of Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee, who all play huge roles for Gilas Pilipinas, receive a loud ovation from Ginebra fans upon their introduction. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/GrBV54c1BY
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 14, 2025
EYES ON THE PRIZE 👀🏆
The Commissioner’s Cup trophy rests at center court for the players introductions before Game 1 of the #PBAFinals | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/2rIZiJcomN
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 14, 2025
On the other end… the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.
Will “third time be the charm,” for coach Tim Cone and company? Only time will tell. #PBAFinals | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/pfnwzLWXNO
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 14, 2025
TNT warms up before Game 1 of the #PBAFinals.
The Tropang Giga look to defeat Ginebra for the third time in the last five Finals series to win the Comms. Cup. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/csAog2OvXC
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 14, 2025
LOOK: TNT and Ginebra warm up before Game 1 of the #PBAFinals here inside the MOA Arena, where the venue enforces the four-point area for the first time ever. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/DRNeOEv352
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 14, 2025
- LOOK: TNT and Ginebra warm up before Game 1 of the PBA Finals here inside the MOA Arena, where the venue enforces the four-point area for the first time ever.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT schedule
Game 1 – March 14, Friday – Mall of Asia Arena
- 7:30pm – TNT Tropang Giga vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings
FULL PBA FINALS SCHEDULE HERE.
#PBAFinals GAME 1 is TONIGHT! See you at SM MOA Arena!#PBASeason49 best-of-7 #PBAFinals Game 1 – March 14 – FRIDAY schedule brought to us by Pocari Sweat (Philippines)
7:30 PM
TNT Tropang Giga vs. BARANGAY GINEBRA San Miguel#PBAAngatAngLaban#PBAat50#PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/ERNjXcbtAp— PBA (@pbaconnect) March 14, 2025
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (with ball) and TNT dominated Barangay Ginebra the last time both teams battled for a PBA title. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
It might be hard to figure out what surprise each team will throw at each other on Friday when TNT and Barangay Ginebra get their latest battle for a PBA championship going.
The two rivals have been doing this dance a lot, creating a sense of familiarity between them.
“I don’t know what the difference is going to be,” Gin Kings resident import Justin Brownlee said of the best-of-seven series for the Commissioner’s Cup crown that tips off at 7:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena.
MANILA, Philippines—There will be no shortage of drama and excitement when Barangay Ginebra Kings and the TNT Tropang Giga write another chapter in their rivarly when the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals begin this Friday.
For the third time in the last five PBA Finals series, the two will be duking it out in a best-of-seven affair with the Gin Kings finally looking to end their Finals drought against the Tropang Giga.
Here’s everything you need to know before the Gin Kings and the Tropang Giga spark another absolute classic to end the import-laden conference.
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against NorthPort Batang Pier. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Going without a title for more than two years can be considered as a long drought for a high-caliber team like Barangay Ginebra.
That’s a streak the Gin Kings aim to end in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, hoping the third time will finally be the charm against the TNT Tropang Giga.
“We just have to stay focused and sharpen our tools in practice,” Japeth Aguilar said. “Hopefully, we can have a great series against them.”
TNT coach Chot Reyes during the PBA Finals press conference.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—It’s no secret that TNT will be without one of its most important pieces in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against rival Barangay Ginebra.
The Tropang Giga are shooting for a second consecutive championship but this time minus the services of their veteran guard Jayson Castro, who had been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a torn patellar tendon.
Still, that didn’t dampen TNT coach Chot Reyes’ hopes of repeating over the Gin Kings in the upcoming best-of-seven Finals showdown.
The Finals protagonists are all set for the battle ahead. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
SCHEDULE: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT
TNT and Barangay Ginebra renew their rivalry this Friday when they tangle in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finale.
The Tropang Giga have won their last two championship duels with the Gin Kings, but without cornerstone Jayson Castro and the crowd darlings coalescing at full strength, coach Chot Reyes isn’t too comfortable being called as the favorites in a best-of-seven race.
“I’ve said this before: I don’t think anyone can fill in the shoes of Jayson. So we’re just asking all the other players to give in a little bit more and try to contribute a little more than what they usually do so that we can all try and make up for Jayson’s loss,” he said during the title series’ kickoff press conference at Kamay Kainan in Quezon City.
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