PBA: RJ Abarrientos shines late as Barangay Ginebra sends TNT to 8th spot 

RJ Abarrientos hit timely baskets in the clutch to help Barangay Ginebra salvage a 93-86 win over TNT in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Abarrientos scored five of Barangay Ginebra's last seven points that allowed the Gin Kings to end the elimination round at second spot with a 9-3 while the Tropang 5G went 6-6 to end the elimination round at eighth spot.

Abarrientos hit a tough floater over the long arms of TNT import Bol Bol before knocking down a three-pointer from the top of the key to give Barangay Ginebra a comfortable 91-83 lead with 48 seconds left in the fourth.

Troy Rosario then cleaned up his own miss to seal the win to allow Ginebra to the playoffs on a roll after winning seven of its last eight games.

Abarrientos finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists while Justin Brownlee held his own against Bol, posting 18 markers, 15 boards, and four dimes.

Bol was in his element after erupting for 33 points laced with 10 rebounds, five blocks, and three assists, but the American import got limited local support with only Calvin Oftana reaching double-digit scoring of 11 markers.

The result also finalized the quarterfinal pairings with TNT taking on top seed NLEX while Barangay Ginebra set up a showdown with Phoenix. Third and fourth seeds Rain or Shine and Meralco, meanwhile, will clash with San Miguel and Magnolia, respectively.

"I feel like we played great defense against somebody who still scores 33 points. He's (Bol Bol) a such a force in the game, especially here in our game," Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said.

"They talke about him so much in the NBA, too, when he was out there playing. Everybody is thrilled to watch him play."

Barangay Ginebra defeated TNT, 93-86, to end the elimination round and clinch the No. 2 seed.

Coach Tim Cone talked about TNT import Bol Bol and his impact to the game.

(Bonus: RJ Abarrientos’ crawl going to the table 😅) @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/aXaagxqslt

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) May 10, 2026

Bol showed exactly what Ginebra was expecting of him after the former NBA player sparked TNT's third-quarter barrage by securing three straight and-one plays that pulled the defending champions to within eight, 60-68.

Even without Bol on the court, Tropang 5G mounted a fightback courtesy of Henry Galinato, Kevin Ferrer, Kim Aurin, and Jayson Castro as the quartet cut the gap to just one, 78-77, in the fourth period.

Abarrientos, however, spoiled their comeback act by draining five straight points to give TNT a 91-83 lead before Rosario punctuated the seven-point victory with his putback basket.

Scores:

Barangay Ginebra 93 - Brownlee 18, Abarrientos 17, Torres 10, Go 9, Thompson 9, Cu 7, Holt 6, J.Aguilar 6, Rosario 5, Pinto 2, Carino 2, Estil 2, Abis 0, Gray 0.

TNT 86 – Bol 33, Oftana 11, Castro 9, Ferrer 8, Heading 6, Nambatac 5, Aurin 5, Galinato 5, Quitevis 4, Khobuntin 0, Enciso 0, Williams 0, Nieto 0, Chua 0.

Quarters: 29-26, 56-45, 76-64, 93-86.

—JKC, GMA News