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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Without imports, TNT and Ginebra rekindle Finals rivalry in All-Filipino duel

Without imports, TNT and Ginebra rekindle Finals rivalry in All-Filipino duel

Published Jun 7, 2025 03:26 pm

At A Glance

  • It's a rematch between two teams that starred in the Finals of the first two conferences in the PBA 49th Season, although this time they will be without their resident reinforcements who brought their respective franchises to greater heights.
It's a rematch between two teams that starred in the Finals of the first two conferences in the PBA 49th Season, although this time they will be without their resident reinforcements who brought their respective franchises to greater heights.
It’s an all-Filipino battle for TNT and Ginebra but the thrill from their last two Finals matchup isn’t expected to be less intense – perhaps maybe even fiercer this time as they try to position themselves in the Top 4 of the Philippine Cup – the most prestigious of all the league’s three conferences.
The Kings and the Tropang 5G are entering the Sunday, June 8 matchup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with similar 6-3 records and they are badly needing to make it to eight wins to at least assure themselves of a quarterfinals bonus in the next round.
Tip-off of the clash is at 7:30 p.m. with both sides missing the marquee duel of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee – the import showdown which had been the center of attraction in their last two finals.
Setting up the table, meanwhile, is the clash between teams battling for pride as the already eliminated Terrafirma and Blackwater hope for a positive end to their campaigns in the 5 p.m. affair.
Though without the two imports, Ginebra and TNT are certainly not lacking in talent with the latter keeping up with arms race against the former after getting its hands on gunner Jordan Heading via trade with Converge.
The Fil-Aussie playmaker is still questionable to play but TNT, even with the absences of Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro, has remained potent with guards like Almond Vosotros and Simon Enciso stepping up to help stars RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana.
The Tropang 5G have also welcomed back Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to the lineup and could be the team’s best matchup to Japeth Aguilar aside from Poy Erram and Kelly Williams.
TNT head coach Chot Reyes, however, isn’t being complacent against Ginebra even with his team riding the crest of a six-game winning streak.
“It’s going to be a tough game against Ginebra. They were playing well against Magnolia, unfortunately we only have one day to prepare,” said Reyes, whose TNT played on Friday against Blackwater.
“Luckily we were able to rest some of the guys. We played everybody in the low 20s so hopefully we have enough legs for a run at Ginebra so we can compete against them on Sunday,” he added.
All hands should indeed be on deck for TNT with Aguilar and Scottie Thompson leading the charge for the Kings. But aside from them, Jamie Malonzo has been getting back his form alongside Stephen Holt, RJ Abarrientos, Maverick Ahanmisi and Troy Rosario.
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