In a game of runs, RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee had the final say as Barangay Ginebra defeated TNT Tropang 5G 102-100 in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup Finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
Here's what transpired as the crowd favorites recorded a huge win.
Abarrientos' scoring overcomes TNT's mismatch hunting
TNT had consistently targeted RJ Abarrientos on the defensive end in their previous Finals meetings, and Game 1 was no different. Tropang 5G made it a point to involve him in actions whenever possible, forcing Ginebra's young guard to navigate physical possessions and difficult defensive reads throughout.
Whenever RR Pogoy found himself matched up against Abarrientos in the post or isolated on an empty side, he immediately went to work. TNT also manipulated matchups through screening actions, often using the player Abarrientos was defending as the screener to force Ginebra into difficult decisions. With the Gin Kings reluctant to switch, the tactic frequently opened driving lanes and allowed TNT to generate paint touches while putting Ginebra's defense into rotation.
The strategy produced quality offense with Pogoy scoring 22 points, but Abarrientos answered on the other end with arguably his most complete offensive performance of the conference. Whether scoring off movement, attacking closeouts, or creating his own shot in isolation, the presumptive Best Player of the Conference repeatedly found ways to punish TNT's defense. Even against physical denial coverage, he remained aggressive, finishing with 24 points and seven assists while posting an elite 76.7 TS%.
And he delivered winning plays on both ends when the game hung in the balance. He came up with a crucial defensive stop late before burying two fearless four-pointers that halted TNT's rally and swung momentum back to Ginebra. Those shots ultimately paved the way for Justin Brownlee to close the door, giving the Gin Kings a hard-earned victory.
Ginebra expose TNT's aggressive helping
Having three players capable of erupting offensively at any given moment, Ginebra made sure everyone got involved through the gravity they created -- which became the story of the first half.
The Gin Kings built a 57-44 halftime lead by consistently attacking the weak points of TNT's aggressive help defense. Every time Chris McCollough blitzed ball screens or shaded extra help toward Brownlee in the post, Troy Rosario was quick to dive into the open space, either rolling hard to the rim or positioning himself around the dunker spot for easy finishes. When Brownlee drew help defenders at the nail, Jeremiah Gray and Ralph Cu were often left one pass away and ready to punish the rotation with open three-pointers.
That ball movement translated into highly efficient offense. Ginebra racked up 19 assists on 20 made field goals in the first half while shooting a blistering 9-of-14 from beyond the arc. The willingness to make the extra pass allowed the Gin Kings to repeatedly create quality looks against a defense intent on loading up toward the basketball.
Bronlee was at the center of it all, orchestrating the offense with a masterful all-around performance. His 23 points and eight assists reflected how much attention he commanded, forcing TNT to consistently send two defenders his way -- which opened scoring opportunities for his teammates.
TNT adjust to guard Brownlee, and their pursuit for drives
TNT head coach Chot Reyes and his wards did not go down without a fight, mounting a strong second-half comeback that saw them briefly seize the lead in crunch time. The turnaround was fueled by adjustments on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, whenever the outside shots were not falling, Tropang 5G made a conscious effort to attack the paint through their mismatch hunting. Rey Nambatac repeatedly involved Abarrientos in screening actions with McCollough, creating favorable driving lanes and forcing Ginebra into difficult defensive decisions. With Abarrientos often placed in the action, TNT consistently generated paint touches and interior scoring opportunities.
The approach paid off as TNT dominated the points-in-the-paint battle, 44-26. Much of that production came from McCollough, who benefited from the downhill pressure created by TNT's guards and finished with 25 points in his return to action.
The paint-oriented attack also helped Nambatac rediscover his offensive rhythm after a difficult conference. The veteran guard played arguably his best game of the tournament, tallying 19 points, three rebounds, and three assists while posting an outstanding 77.1 TS%.