The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel warded off a 2-0 series hole in this series against the TNT Tropang Giga by taking Game 2 in thrilling fashion. But can the Barangay do it again in Game 3 to take the series lead for the first time? Or, will the Tropang Giga recover right away to move back into the driver’s seat?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  March 19. 2025 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

TNT Tropang Giga (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Brian Heruela
  • RR Pogoy
  • Calvin Oftana
  • Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
  • Kelly Williams

The Tropang Giga missed on a golden opportunity to go up 2-0 in this series against Ginebra, as they lost in Game 2 on Sunday, 71-70. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a chance to win it for TNT but he was stopped in the game’s final possession, leading to a loss – and a damaged locker room at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Jefferson led TNT with 25 points but he shot just 6-for-23 from the field. 

As a team, TNT made only 42.9 percent of its field goal attempts. Some adjustments on offense will have to be made by the Tropang Giga, especially after the non-RHJ starters combined for just 18 points in Game 2. For what it’s worth, TNT’s bench has outscored Ginebra’s relievers through two games in the series by a wide margin, 55-21. Nevertheless, Hollis-Jefferson will continue to be the focal point of TNT’s attack, as the Tropang Giga hope that their shots will start to fall again this Wednesday.

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Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Scottie Thompson
  • Stephen Holt
  • Justin Brownlee
  • Troy Rosario
  • Japeth Aguilar

The Barangay are alive and shaking. Thanks in large part to Ginebra’s stingy defense in Game 2, Justin Brownlee and company were able to come away with a crucial victory to tie the series. Ginebra didn’t shoot well either in that contest, posting just a 33.3 field goal percentage but they were successful in muzzling TNT’s most dangerous player, with Hollis-Jefferson struggling with his shot all night long.

 It is not easy slowing down RHJ, and when they do, the Barangay should be able to take advantage by making a run on offense. However, they missed lots of opportunities on that end in Game 2 while also going just 21-for-28 from the foul line. For all their work on defense, Troy Rosario and Stephen Holt combined for an atrocious 1-for-11 shooting from the floor in the win over TNT. Ginebra also turned the ball over 13 times. That’s a concerning trend for the Barangay, who coughed up the ball 12 times in the series opener.

Picks

Spread: TNT (+2.5)

Over/Under: Over (180.5)

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