MANILA, Philippines – In a fiercely contested match with a TNT team that had few imports, BARANGAY Ginebra avoided embarrassment.

A direct entry into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs was also included with the Kings’ impressive escape maneuver.

“They lost Jayson (Castro), they lost, and you recognized me as the winning coach, but I thought I was completely outcoached.

They were dropping like flies but they kept coming at us; it was a well-coached game and I struggled to keep up. Mikey (Williams) a little and they played with no import “Coach Tim Cone expressed relief that they had succeeded in getting past the Tropang Giga and had thus maintained a strong chance of placing in the Top 2.

Cone lavished praise on Chot Reyes, his TNT counterpart, for the coaching job he did, and he claimed that “we’re blessed to walk out with the win.”

However, a victory is a victory, and this one allowed the Kings to compile their first-ever five-game winning streak under coach Cone.

What’s more, their 7 to 2 record ensured Cone and his team a playoff berth as well as early qualifiers Converge, Magnolia, and Bay Area each had a score of 9 to 2. (8 to 3).

The Kings compete against NLEX, NorthPort, and Converge in their final three games as they attempt to maintain their momentum in the pursuit of a Top 2 finish and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

By losing their sixth game in a row, the Tropang Giga fell to ninth place.

Even worse, Cameron Oliver may require air transportation to receive an import submarine because of a sprained knee.

Castro was injured in the third and was unable to play for the Tropang Giga due to lack of an import, but they still put up a valiant effort before losing due to vital mistakes.

Mikey Williams’ long-range shot gave Tropang Giga the lead halfway through the fourth, and Calvin Oftana’s own three-pointer in the final two minutes tied the score for the final time at 81 all.

 The Kings prevailed, with Justin Brownlee maintaining his all-around brilliance with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. However, they gave the ball away on their final two possessions, which allowed the Kings to win.

In addition to Japeth Aguilar’s 12 rebounds and nine points, Stanley Pringle, and Scottie Thompson each scored 12 and 10 points.

Mikey Williams scored 20 points, RR Pogoy scored 18, Poy Erram scored 16, and Glenn Khobuntin scored 10 to help TNT fight hard.

Before leaving the court with a sprained ankle, Castro had scored seven points, pulled down four rebounds, and made three assists.

Scores at the end of the match

Ginebra with 89 points for the win

Individual scores: Brownlee 21, Pringle 12, Thompson 10, J.Aguilar 9, Tenorio 8, Mariano 8, Malonzo 8, Standhardinger 8, Gray 5, Pinto 0

TNT with 85 points

Individual scores: M.Williams 20, Pogoy 18, Erram 16, Khobuntin 10, Castro 7, Oftana 6, K.Williams 4, Tungcab 2, Heruela 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Soyud 0

Scores per quarter

34 to 22, 53 to 45, 68 to 71, 89 to 85