After winning the recently concluded 2023 PBA Governors' Cup Finals, TNT completed a repeat over Barangay Ginebra, this time in the esports field after taking the maiden PBA Esports Bakbakan title with a 3-0 victory in the Grand Finals at the Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati on Monday, May 1.
A gutsy Game 1 win set the tone for the rout as the Tropang Giga, led by popular streamer King Jasro, displayed a methodical execution of their rotation and plays all-series long. A bait play from Regi on the Khufra allowed TNT to take the upperhand in the tightly contested opener before keeping Setsuna “Dogie” Ignacio at bay to draw first blood. King Jasro finished with a 5-5-7 line on the Fredrinn pick while it was Sindel who took over in the late game with an impressive 7-1-4 KDA on the Karrie pick. Ginebra tried to dictate the tempo in the second game but the pace seemingly favored the side of TNT with Sindel also exploding in the late game to help the Tropang Giga take a commanding 2-0 lead. Living up to the Kings "Never-Say-Die" mantra, Dogie and the rest of Ginebra showed unwavering resolve in Game 3 to try and extend the series. The Kings took the lead early until the midgame but the Tropang Giga behind the efforts of Regi on the Kaja slowly but surely found their groove back. Dragging the match to the late game, TNT’s lineup that had Beatrix and Edith in its draft went on a rampage to complete the comeback. Sindel added a 6-1-8 line on the Beatrix while Regi finished with a 3-3-11 line on the Kaja.
*TNT wins the inaugural PBA Esports Bakbakan Tournament. (PBA Images)
*A gutsy Game 1 win set the tone for the rout as the Tropang Giga, led by popular streamer King Jasro, displayed a methodical execution of their rotation and plays all-series long. A bait play from Regi on the Khufra allowed TNT to take the upperhand in the tightly contested opener before keeping Setsuna “Dogie” Ignacio at bay to draw first blood. King Jasro finished with a 5-5-7 line on the Fredrinn pick while it was Sindel who took over in the late game with an impressive 7-1-4 KDA on the Karrie pick. Ginebra tried to dictate the tempo in the second game but the pace seemingly favored the side of TNT with Sindel also exploding in the late game to help the Tropang Giga take a commanding 2-0 lead. Living up to the Kings "Never-Say-Die" mantra, Dogie and the rest of Ginebra showed unwavering resolve in Game 3 to try and extend the series. The Kings took the lead early until the midgame but the Tropang Giga behind the efforts of Regi on the Kaja slowly but surely found their groove back. Dragging the match to the late game, TNT’s lineup that had Beatrix and Edith in its draft went on a rampage to complete the comeback. Sindel added a 6-1-8 line on the Beatrix while Regi finished with a 3-3-11 line on the Kaja.