It’s like going back to square one in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals as the defending champion TNT and the strong challenger Barangay Ginebra each claimed two wins, bringing the best-of-seven series to a new stage, now turning it into a battle that could go to six or seven games.
Many fans didn’t expect Ginebra to bounce back after TNT took a 2-0 lead with a tough defense that limited Coach Tim Cone’s squad to an average of 86 points. Justin Brownlee, often seen as the all-time standard for imports, appeared almost like an ordinary player in the face of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s surging performance alongside his teammates. Brownlee, who shot .393 from three-point range in the semis, couldn’t score from beyond the arc in the first two games due to the double-team defense that took away his space on the perimeter.
In Game Three, Cone found a solution to change the game. He started LA Tenorio for the first time this conference and brought in Joe DeVance, who hadn’t played in Games One and Two as he was recovering from a bone bruise in his left knee. The extended rotation allowed Cone’s core players to rest, giving Ginebra renewed energy in the latter part of the game. In the fourth quarter, RHJ shot a low .182 from the field and went 0-of-5 from three-point range. It was his second consecutive game without a break, and in the last 12 minutes, he seemed visibly fatigued.
In Game Four, Cone mirrored coach Chot Reyes’s strategy by focusing on outside shooting while strengthening the defense, especially under the rim. Ginebra scored 106 points, with 47 coming from the perimeter—a key advantage TNT had in the first two games. Brownlee contributed 34 points, with Japeth Aguilar, Mav Ahanmisi, and Stephen Holt each adding 18. Scottie Thompson also chipped in with 12 points. Reyes attempted to replicate Tenorio's impact by starting Jayson Castro in the Finals, but it didn’t yield the same results.
Tonight, the chess match moves to Game Five at the Big Dome. TNT has yet to lose three consecutive games this conference, and Ginebra aims to extend their winning streak. TNT’s challenge is their longer rotation. Cone has adjusted his substitution pattern to include more bench players, but the main load still falls on his core players. In the Finals, six TNT players are logging at least 20 minutes per game, with RHJ (47:13), Calvin Oftana (37:33), and Roger Pogoy (35:44) each playing over 30 minutes. Meanwhile, five Ginebra players have over 20 minutes each game, with all logging at least 30 minutes.
The two-day break between Games Four and Five gives players extra rest, so both teams are expected to go all-out tonight. A strong start will set the tone, which is the goal for both teams. For TNT to win, RHJ needs to be unstoppable, like when he scored 37 points in Game Two. Rebounding will also be key, as each Finals game has gone to the team with more rebounds. They must also defend Ginebra's pick-and-roll to limit Aguilar's offense. For Ginebra to win, Brownlee needs to showcase his shooting from outside, spreading the defense to create space for Aguilar, Thompson, Ahanmisi, and Holt to exploit open lanes. Ginebra's defense will need to disrupt TNT’s passing lanes, force individual plays, and create turnovers—just as they did in Game Four. Coach Cone is still awaiting the return of RJ Abarrientos, who could be the game-changer if he makes a strong comeback.
