The Tropang 5G led by as many as 22 points before the Gin Kings mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to make it a tight finish.<\/p>\n
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Article continues after this advertisement<\/i><\/p><\/div>\nFortunately for TNT, it had enough left in the tank to hold off Ginebra and level the best-of-seven series at 1-1.<\/p>\n
Coach Chot Reyes, however, was hardly surprised to see the Gin Kings claw their way back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe kept reminding the players in the huddle while we were up big not to let their guards down,\u201d said Reyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll always come back and they got some good production from their bench. Their second unit completely outplayed ours so that\u2019s the conversation we\u2019ll have in the dugout tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Article continues after this advertisement<\/i>\t\t <\/p><\/div>\nTNT was up 92-78 before Ginebra unleashed a 16-6 run to cut the deficit to four, 98-94, on a Justin Brownlee basket with less than a minute left.<\/p>\n
But the Gin Kings fumbled their next possession, allowing TNT to push the pace. Calvin Oftana then dashed Ginebra\u2019s comeback hopes by calmly sinking two free throws for a 100-94 lead with 18 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n
Oftana finished with a conference-high 31 points and 10 rebounds to lead TNT. Chris McCullough also posted a double-double of 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Jordan Heading added 14 points.<\/p>\n
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Article continues after this advertisement<\/i><\/p><\/div>\nBrownlee had a double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds for Ginebra, while RJ Abarrientos scored 21. Jeremiah Gray and Isaac Go chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively, off the bench.<\/p>\n