MANILA, Philippines, March 20 ------ Rey Nambatac did not disappoint in his first start of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals. Nambatac led the way and saved the day as TNT scored a pulsating 87-85 win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 at PhilSports Arena.
Handed the starting reins after coming off the bench in Games 1 and 2, Rey Nambatac churned out 24 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, including the tie-breaking triple with 30 seconds left, as the Tropang Giga claimed a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven affair. Nambatac hit arguably the biggest shot of the game, draining a corner triple that shattered an 82-82 deadlock to propel TNT past a committed Gin Kings side that stayed in the game despite losing import Justin Brownlee in the third quarter.
Brownlee suffered a dislocated right thumb with over six minutes left in the third period following a battle for the loose ball and never returned. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson backstopped Nambatac with 20 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal while Calvin Oftana chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Hollis-Jefferson recorded his lone steal when it counted the most as he intercepted the ball and assisted Glenn Khobuntin for the fast break layup that gave the Tropang Giga an 87-82 lead with 14.5 seconds remaining. Brownlee still topscored for Ginebra with 19 points on top of 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
The 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.
Source: rappler.com
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