Rey Nambatac stars as TNT takes 2-1 lead vs Barangay Ginebra in PBA Finals

Rey Nambatac starred as TNT eked out an 87-85 win against Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

TNT now holds a 2-1 lead in the series.

Nambatac had 24 points from five three-pointers, including a crucial one with less than 30 seconds in the game, on top of seven assists and five rebounds to lead the Tropang Giga.

The match was mostly a neck-and-neck affair, with Barangay Ginebra having its biggest lead, 46-37, just a minute before the first half ended 48-42 in their favor.

Despite being tight, the game was also a physical one. Justin Brownlee sustained a dislocated right thumb, according to the broadcast report, with less than seven minutes in the third period after he fell while chasing the ball. He eventually exited the arena as Barangay Ginebra went all-Filipino until the final buzzer. 

Justin Brownlee exited the Philsports Arena after an apparent dislocated right thumb which he got at around the 6:42 mark of the third period in Game 3 of the finals vs TNT @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/XH3fj0EVJe

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) March 19, 2025

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's face was also injured after an accidental hit by Troy Rosario before the third period ended. He, however, returned to the game with a bandage on his face.

The game was tied at 82 with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth period before Nambatac drilled his crucial three-pointer. Before that shot, Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy also attempted to make the basket but it took TNT four tries to get the basket.

RJ Abarrientos handled the ball for Barangay Ginebra after that, but the ball slipped and eventually landed in RHJ's hands. Glenn Khobuntin took advantage of the assist and made a layup which gave TNT a comfortable margin heading into the final moments of the game. 

Troy Rosario made a late attempt for a triple before Scottie Thompson eventually connected from the three-point arc and gave Barangay Ginebra a slim chance to extend the game. However, time favored TNT's side as they took the series lead.

"We took our very best. We actually talked about it when Justin went out and I told the players, we're going to see the best Ginebra here. Even without Justin, we have to be at our best. I just reminded the players how strong and how deep that team is and not to let our guards down even with Brownlee out of the game. I thought the key was when they went on a three-point lead in the last five or six minutes, we did not panic and we stayed calm. I think that was the key," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.

Nambatac, meanwhile, said he stepped up especially in the absence of their leader Jayson Castro.

"Importante ang decision making ko sa loob lalo na wala si Kuya Jayson so I need to make good decisions, especially mga ganoong moments, ganoong ending na laro. Nag-pay off naman especially 'yung extra shots na ginagawa ko sa practice. Go with the flow lang, sinusunod ko lang 'yung sistema ni Coach Chot and isa sa factor talaga is tiwala ng teammates ko sa akin," Nambatac said.

RHJ registered 20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and a steal, while Oftana had 16 points.

Before the incident, Brownlee had 19 points, six assists, four rebounds, and a block. Thompson had 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block, while Troy Rosario and Abarrientos had 13 points apiece.

Game 4 of the Finals will be played on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Scores:

TNT 87 – Nambatac 24, Hollis-Jefferson 20, Oftana 16, Khobuntin 10, Pogoy 8, Erram 5, Aurin 4, Williams 0, Heruela 0.

Barangay Ginebra 85 – Brownlee 19, Thompson 15, Rosario 13, Abarrientos 13, Malonzo 11, J.Aguilar 6, Holt 5, Ahanmisi 3.

Quarters: 17-17, 42-48, 72-66, 87-85.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News