TNT Tropang GIGA guard Rey Nambatac in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 6 clash vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.

MANILA (UPDATED) — The TNT Tropang GIGA avoided elimination and forced an all-or-nothing Game 7 in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals.

The Chot Reyes-mentored team did so in cardiac fashion, holding off Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 87-83, during their Game 6 faceoff, Wednesday evening at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Rey Nambatac was a standout for TNT, putting up 23 points, five rebounds, three steals, and an assist for his squad, while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson provided might with 29 markers, 13 boards, six dimes, and three steals. 

"This is the first time that we will play a win-or-go-home game with RHJ, so it's a great opportunity for us to learn about ourselves," said Reyes during the postgame presser. 

"We just grabbed the opportunity, competed, and said that we were not just going out without a fight," he added.

Also solid for the Tropang GIGA was Poy Erram, with the veteran center redeeming himself after an in-game spat with Reyes in their Game 5 loss.

READ: TNT's Poy Erram seeking professional help, looks to make up for outbursts

"We just told him to focus on shutting off the noise," said Reyes of Erram who had 12 points — 10 of which came in the last period — on top of six rebounds, a steal, and a block.

"Of all of our players in this series, he was the one with the highest plus-minus, so we need him on the floor. His presence is very important."

Erram hit a huge triple early in the fourth period to extend their lead to 10, 72-62, but Justin Brownlee and Ginebra had one last rally, with the resident Gin Kings import bringing his squad to within one, 80-79, with a deuce at the 1:09 mark.

The two squads went back and forth in the following possessions, but Erram, with only 16 ticks left, went two-of-two from the line to extend their lead to five, 85-80.

A Scottie Thompson three-pointer right in the next play still kept Ginebra's hopes alive, but Hollis-Jefferson eventually sealed the contest. RHJ completed a perfect trip to the foul line later on, and while Thompson had a four-point attempt in hopes of tying the contest, his shot missed the bottom of the net. 

Brownlee led BGSM with 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, Thompson and RJ Abarrienos each put up 12 markers, while Japeth Aguilar and Stephen Holt contributed 11 each.