MANILA – Chris McCullough took over offensively in the endgame as TNT Tropang 5G turned back Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 98-90, in Game 6 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Down 78-80 after a triple by Gin Kings import Justin Brownlee, McCullough responded with a triple and an inside hit and another conversion from Kelly Williams to take an 85-80 lead.
Brownlee tried to keep the Gin Kings alive with his inside conversions, but McCullough answered with consecutive outside conversions as the Tropang 5G pulled away at 94-86.
Brownlee still made his last push for the Gin Kings but another conversion by McCullough followed by two free throws by Jordan Heading sealed the victory for the Tropang 5G.
McCullough finished with a PBA-high 53 points to go with 22 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a block as the defending champions Tropang 5G tied the best-of-seven series at 3-3.
Heading stepped up with 19 points and nine assists, while Roger Pogoy contributed 13 markers for the Tropang 5G.
The Tropang 5G pulled off the win despite missing the services of starters Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and also losing veteran Jayson Castro due to an ankle injury.
Brownlee was the lone bright spot for the Gin Kings with 52 points, Jeth Troy Rosario added nine points and 14 rebounds, and Japeth Aguilar ended with eight points.
For the third consecutive game, the Gin Kings’ supporting cast were disappointment as Rhon Jay Abarrientos, Earl Scottie Thompson, and Stephen Holt were held to a combined of 14 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 98 – McCullough 53, Heading 19, Pogoy 13, Castro 3, Nambatac 3, Khobuntin 3, Williams 2, Galinato 2, Aurin 0.
GINEBRA 90 – Brownlee 52, Rosario 9, J.Aguilar 8, Abarrientos 6, Holt 5, Pinto 5, Thompson 3, Abis 2, Gray 0, Cu 0.
Quarterscores: 17-16, 45-43, 75-67, 98-90.
