TNT flexed their muscles on the defensive end to take Game 1 with a 104-88 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Governors' Cup finals.
TNT stamped their authority from the start and opened with a blistering 19-4 run -- setting the tone on both ends of the court. Ginebra fought to close the gap throughout the game, but TNT's relentless defense and precise offensive execution kept them at arm's length.
Creative defensive matchups by TNT
A fascinating storyline to follow in this series is TNT's defensive strategy against Justin Brownlee. Their opening gambit was assigning RR Pogoy to body up Brownlee, while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson took on Ginebra's playmaking ace, Scottie Thompson.
This setup, backed by TNT's stellar team defense, proved highly effective. With Pogoy's physicality -- and Glenn Khobuntin's presence off the bench -- Brownlee struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with a modest 23 points on an inefficient 49.6 TS%. Meanwhile, Hollis-Jefferson's aggressive defense kept Thompson out of sync, limiting him to just seven points on a 35 TS%.
In the second half, as Ginebra adjusted by moving Brownlee to center, TNT quickly adapted and kept Ginebra's offense in check. Even though Stephen Holt and Maverick Ahanmisi were able to crack double figures, the process of getting their baskets came hard -- evidenced by the combined field goal percentage of both players at 31.3%.
Finals first timer RJ Abarrientos also had a hard time, scoring just five points and barely made an impact on Ginebra's offense.
As the series unfolds, TNT's continued ability to disrupt Ginebra's stars will be key.
Shooting disparity
Ginebra did no make its first 3-pointer of the PBA Finals until the fourth a quarter -- a struggle that highlighted the difference in Game 1. Entering the series, Ginebra led the league in 3-point shooting at 36% on 32.3 attempts per game, but that narrative vanished Sunday as they shot just 9.5% (2-21) from beyond the arc.
For TNT head coach Chot Reyes, limiting Ginebra's 3-point game was at the top of the scouting report.
"We know the strength of Ginebra and we looked at the numbers -- so that became our focus for today," Reyes said.
TNT's defensive lockdown created offensive opportunities as well, allowing them to capitalize in transition and execute smoothly in the half-court, which in turn limited Ginebra's own transition opportunities. This strategy was evident as TNT connected on 40% (12-30) of their own 3-point attempts.
While Hollis-Jefferson didn't have his best scoring game, his aggressive drives forced Ginebra to send two to the ball. It opened up kick-out passes and left Ginebra scrambling in rotations and struggling to close out TNT's shooters. Their ability to turn defense into offense set the tone, providing a potent reminder of the importance of perimeter control in this high-stakes series.
TNT dominates the guard play
Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro came up big for TNT on the offensive end, especially during the times Ginebra was mounting a comeback. It did not look that Nambatac was newbie in the finals stage, as he posted an all around performance of 18 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals on 84.6 TS%. On the other hand, Castro had a vintage showing of 14 points, with a big chunk of which was dropped in the third quarter.
Having been highlighted in the series preview, the role of Nambatac was and will remain crucial, as his drives, playmaking, and outside shooting should be a lever that TNT can pull to spark their offense. His ability to shift the game's momentum is exactly what TNT relies on to keep defenses on their toes. And take note, nerves still were a hindrance that Nambatac had to hurdle.
"Nu'ng first half, nandoon pa 'yung gigil ko and hindi ko pa mahanap 'yung rhythm ko. But nu'ng second half, unti-unti ko na nakuha and nagtuloy-tuloy na," Nambatac said, reflecting the value of his adaptability and persistence under pressure.
At 38 years old, Castro is at the stage of his career where he needs to pick his spots. In their semifinals matchup versus Rain or Shine, he sat out a couple of games to manage some injuries -- a strategy that paid off as he flashed the old burst of speed fans remember well.
In the third quarter, Castro relentlessly attacked rookie RJ Abarrientos, either in isolation or as the screener in TNT's clever inverted pick-and-roll with Hollis-Jefferson. His calculated aggression showcased not only his experience but also his continued ability to impact the game's tempo.
"Pinakita ni Kuya Jayson kung sino talaga 'yung Jayson Castro na iniidolo ko," Abarrientos said.