In an epic game of runs, the TNT Tropang Giga ultimately came out on top to win back-to-back PBA Governor’s Cup championships.

The Tropang Giga opened up Game 6 of the 2024 Governor’s Cup Finals with a 10-point lead in the second quarter, 31-21. However, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel seemed to take control of the match in the third quarter as they rallied back to take an 11-point lead, 68-57. 

TNT made quick work of Ginebra’s lead though as they went on a 13-3 run to open the fourth quarter to move ahead by two, 79-77. 

Justin Brownlee scored off a floater to give Ginebra back the lead, 85-83, with 4:58 remaining in the match, but that ultimately proved to be their last basket of the game. 

Both teams then went scoreless for the next minute and a half before Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ended the Tropang Giga’s drought with a putback at the 3:23 mark of the final period. This kickstarted TNT’s final run of the night as they scored 10 unanswered points to take the title-clinching Game 6, 95-85. 

Hollis-Jefferson, who was named the Best Import of the Conference, led the way once again for the Tropang Giga with a fantastic all-around performance. TNT’s resident import put up 31 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in the win while playing all but six seconds of the match. 

The Tropang Giga’s 38-year-old veteran Jayson Castro played a crucial role as well and finished with 13 points, two rebounds, six assists, and a steal. The veteran guard was also named Finals Most Valuable Player, marking the first time that he received the award since 2011 and the third time overall in his career.

What made the difference for TNT in this series was their defense as they shut down Ginebra’s high-scoring offense. RJ Abarrientos had a breakout game with 31 points, but the rest of his teammates struggled in Game 6. Brownlee was limited to only 16 points on a paltry eight-of-21 field goal shooting.

The defensive efforts of RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, and Calvin Oftana, together with their timely baskets on the other end, were invaluable for the Tropang Giga.

With Hollis-Jefferson still only 29 years old and the rest of this roster outside of Castro and Kelly Williams still in their prime years, TNT is going to be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come in the Governor’s Cup. This is the first time in franchise history that they have won this conference back-to-back and the odds of them going for a three-peat–potentially the first since Alaska’s four consecutive Governor’s Cup crowns in the 1990s–are looking strong.

The Tropang Giga are here to stay and until the PBA can come up with a way to stop the impeccable Hollis-Jefferson, it looks like the championships are just going to keep coming their way.