A come-from-behind win helped the Gin Kings claim a 2-0 lead in the final series after bouncing back from a 15 points deficit.

Stanley Pringle, who produced the biggest plays for the match scored 34 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds, led in tying the notch and assisted on the go-ahead three-pointer in the last two minutes.

Thompson’s 3-pointer shot, the most significant point of the game, with 30.5 seconds left in the shot clock helped rallied Ginebra to an 87-85.

“It was certainly a struggle for us all game long. I thought that Talk ‘N Text dominated us for more than three quarters in the game. We were able to make a run in the end. We were saying, even at halftime, we haven’t played well collectively, we haven’t played well individually,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. 

After being behind almost most of the game, the duo of Pringle and Aljon Mariano, along with Ginebra’s second unit managed to bounce back. 

Despite having an off-game, the trio of Japeth Aguilar, Thompson, and LA Tenorio produced major clutches in the winning quarter.

“I thought that as much as LA, Stan, and Scottie did their thing down the stretch, Aljon’s contribution was just exceptional,” said Cone. 

“He played with a toughness that we needed tonight. We really needed someone to step up and make the tough plays. Be a physical presence out there. He doesn’t back down to anybody and that’s why we love him so much,” he continued.

It was an uphill climb for the Gin Kings as they had to play catch up most of the game. With RR Pogoy scoring from downtown under four minutes gave TNT a 7 point lead, 84-77.

Mariano was called in the free throw to ignite a quick 7-0 blast by Ginebra to tie the game that led to Thompson’s big three-point shot.

Tenorio went 5-of-6 from the free-throw line to ice the game, which gave the lead to Ginebra for good. 

“When they started to stretch the lead out, we didn’t panic. We weren’t forcing things. We were still taking our time, trying to methodically work back in the game. And JD (Joe Devance) kept yelling at timeouts, ‘One point at a time. We can make it back.’ Frankly, I wasn’t so sure. JD had more faith than me,” said Cone.

Mariano added 20 points and 9 rebounds while Thompson finished with 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Meanwhile, Pogoy delivered 38 points built on 7 triples, Simon Enciso, second-leading scorer, having 15 points followed by Castro who had 13 while Poy Erram produced 11 points and 11 rebounds for TNT, but Ray Park missed in action due to a left calf strain.

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 92 – Pringle 34, Mariano 20, Dillinger 8, Chan 6, J. Aguilar 6, Tenorio 5, Tolentino 4, Devance 4, Thompson 3, Caperal 2.

TNT 90 – Pogoy 38, Enciso 15, Castro 13, Erram 11, Rosario 11, De Leon 2, Carey 0, Semerad 0, Montalbo 0, Washington 0.

Quarters: 21-17; 36-40; 68-70; 92-90.