With the way Game 2 of the 2024-2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals ended, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings may have breathed a sigh of relief. 

The Gin Kings were in danger of falling behind 2-0 in the championship series after giving the ball away towards the end of Game 2. Fortunately, their defense held up as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s errors in the endgame squandered the TNT Tropang Giga’s hopes for a commanding lead. 

While the loss certainly stung for the Tropang Giga, it’s Ginebra that leaves the game with some worries. Their offense has been far from perfect and even if the Gin Kings have the lone 4-pointer of the series thus far, it’s their interior offense that has been more miss than hit. Ginebra would definitely welcome a good shooting night, but their scoring from inside is their bread and butter. A good night inside offensively normally means a win is more than likely for the Gin Kings, but recent times have not been such. 

Credit should be given to TNT, who have developed a game plan to stymie Justin Brownlee and stifle the rest of Ginebra. When the Tropang Giga forces the Gin Kings to commit more turnovers, chances are wasted and the shot selection will only drive Ginebra head coach Tim Cone nuts. 

While both teams are on relatively equal footing in terms of talent, the Gin Kings would need to play spotless basketball if they want to clinch their 16th PBA title. Any hope of a Ginebra victory obviously begins with Brownlee and Scottie Thompson, but the likes of Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos. Holt was successful in limiting Hollis-Jefferson on offense and was there to put an end to any chances of a signature Hollis-Jefferson play in Game 2. 

Abarrientos, meanwhile, is a wild card. He’s provided a ton especially on the offensive end, but the good has always come with the bad. Out of his 17 field goal attempts in the series, the 25-year old has made only three, which is the same amount of turnovers he has through two games. That kind of production, or lack thereof, could hurt the Gin Kings later on. Abarrientos is the bridge between the starters and the bench and him being at least close to his best is what could ease Ginebra’s worries. 

Game 3 of the 2024-2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals is a few days away and while the series is tied, it’s the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings who are playing catch up. So far, it looks like the TNT Tropang Giga has their number, but if they play to their potential, they can easily breeze past their tormentors from the last conference.