Ginebra eyes series lead versus TNT

WHAT is now shaping up as a defense-oriented championship series continues on Wednesday when TNT and Barangay Ginebra collide in Game 3 of the PBA Season Commissioner's Cup Finals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The best-of-seven series is now tied at 1-1 after Ginebra scored a cliff-hanging 71-70 win against TNT last Sunday in their Game 2 tussle.

The Tropang Giga took the series-opening game, 95-89.

"These guys just showed true grit all the way through the game," Ginebra coach Tim Cone said, referring to his team's one-point win, thanks to Justin Brownlee's endgame heroics.

"We know if we will have a chance in this series, we have to show true grit. We just really reached dip down the stretch and made stops," he added.

Brownlee was at his element in Game 2, firing 35 points and hauling down 11 rebounds as he willed the Gin Kings to victory.

In contrast, Brownlee's counterpart Rondae Hollis-Jefferson struggled against TNT's airtight defense, making just 6-of-23 from the field as he had to earn every bit of his 25 points in Game 2.

The former Brooklyn Nets forward failed to hit the game-winner after being forced to take an awkward attempt in the dying seconds by Stephen Holt's defense.

Cone said winning Game 3 will be critical, while stressing the need for Ginebra to keep Hollis-Jefferson from finding his rhythm.

"We'll see what happens in Game 3. RHJ will make the adjustment to it, while we also have a chance to play a little better offense," said Cone.

TNT could hopefully rediscover its shooting from the three-point country.

After knocking down 14 triples in Game 1, TNT struggled last Sunday after making just 6-of-31 from downtown.

Compounding the Tropang Giga's shooting struggles was its woeful 2-of-22 shooting from the field in the second period, a stretch that saw them score a new Finals-low four points.

Ginebra's magnificent defense also held TNT to just 19 points in the first half in Game 2.