The TNT Tropang GIGA celebrate after beating Barangay Ginebra, 87-83, in Game 7 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals, March 28, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Images

MANILA (UPDATED) -- The TNT Tropang GIGA are kings of the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner's Cup, as they snatched the crown against fan-favorites Barangay Ginebra.

TNT broke the hearts of the Gin Kings on Friday night, claiming a hard-earned 87-83 overtime win in the deciding Game 7 of the championship series in front of a huge crowd at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Tropang GIGA continue to have Ginebra's number, having beaten them in the 2023 Governors' Cup and again in the 2024 edition of the same conference -- doing so in six games both times.

This time around, they overturned a 2-3 series deficit and did not buckle in the face of another clutch shot from Justin Brownlee. Instead, they took control in overtime and handed the beloved Ginebra import his first loss in a PBA Game 7.

"My appreciation goes to the players. They really found a way. Ayaw nila magpatalo, and this is the result. Maraming-maraming salamat po," said TNT head coach Chot Reyes, who won his 11th PBA championship.

There were plenty of heroes for TNT, which won the championship without talismanic point guard Jayson Castro after "The Blur" suffered a season-ending injury in the semifinals against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

There was Rey Nambatac, who took over playmaking duties and battled through cramps to finish with 22 points, four assists, and three steals. He earned Finals MVP honors after averaging 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steal in the series.

READ: Jayson Castro out for rest of season after suffering patellar tendon injury

READ: Rey Nambatac dedicates Finals MVP to 'mentor' Jayson Castro

There was Calvin Oftana, who bucked a slow start and nailed two huge three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help the Tropang GIGA stay in the fight.

There was, of course, import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who played nearly 53 minutes and put up 25 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a block in a remarkable performance. The Best Import of the Conference was hobbling by the end and needed to be held up by his teammates, but ensured that TNT finished on top.

But Player of the Game honors in Game 7 went to Glenn Khobuntin, who came off the bench to score 14 points, including a massive three-pointer in overtime, while playing his usual brand of stout defense. 

"Wala, sabi ni Coach Chot, last game na 'to. Last practice na namin kahapon, so give it all. Wala na akong inisip. Kung ma-miss, go back on defense. Thank you Lord, na-shoot ko ang mga tira ko," he said afterward.

-- Brownlee's clutch three-pointer -- 

TNT's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in action against Ginebra in Game 7 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals, March 28, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Images

Khobuntin knocked down a clutch jumper with 47.6 seconds to go that gave TNT a 77-74 lead, only for Brownlee to respond with a jump shot of his own to make it a one-point game. A Hollis-Jefferson layup restored a three-point cushion for TNT, 79-76, but it came at a price as the explosive import cramped up and had to take a breather in the ensuing possession.

It proved costly as Brownlee pounced on Paul Varilla, who subbed in for Hollis-Jefferson and defended the crafty import in Ginebra's next trip. As he has done so many times for the Gin Kings, Brownlee came to the rescue, rising for a huge three-pointer that tied the game at 79 with 16.8 seconds left.

TNT still had the chance to win in regulation, but Hollis-Jefferson was well-defended by Stephen Holt, and a timely double-team by Scottie Thompson forced the import to put up a desperation jumper that clanked off the rim as time expired.

It was Nambatac who helped restore order for TNT as he scored in the very first possession of overtime. That touched off a 6-0 TNT run, capped by a booming triple by Khobuntin, to put them ahead 85-79 with just 2:23 to play.

The Gin Kings got as close as two points, 85-83, but their chances dwindled when Thompson bricked a triple, then mishandled the offensive rebound to give the ball back to the Tropang GIGA. Off a timeout, Ginebra swarmed Hollis-Jefferson, but Oftana saved the possession for TNT and scored an insurance layup to peg the final score.

Brownlee could not duplicate his heroics in regulation, as his four-pointer with 2.4 seconds left was well off the mark.

"It feels amazing. It feels amazing. I would say, every day I get to fight with these guys, and hear our fans support us is amazing," said Hollis-Jefferson, as he dedicated the title to his mother who had flown in to watch Game 7. "I wanna shout out my teammates for stepping up big… I love you guys, I appreciate you guys, I'll go to war with you every day, any day."

Brownlee, who is now 0-3 against Hollis-Jefferson in championship series, finished with 28 points on 12-of-30 shooting, along with 10 rebounds and three assists. But he was also forced into seven turnovers, and was kept in check in overtime by Khobuntin.

Japeth Aguilar (15 points, 11 boards), Thompson (13 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists), and Holt (12 points) all reached double-digits for Ginebra.

Yet despite the support of the majority of the 21,274 fans in the Big Dome, they remain unable to solve the puzzle that is TNT, having now lost to them in the finals of back-to-back conferences.

The Scores :

TNT 87– Hollis-Jefferson 25, Nambatac 22, Khobuntin 14, Oftana 10, Pogoy 9, Erram 5, Williams 2, Aurin 0, Heruela 0

GINEBRA 83– Brownlee 28, Thompson 13, J.Aguilar 15, Holt 12, Abarrientos 8, Ahanmisi 3, Rosario 2, Malonzo 2

QUARTERS: 22-16, 40-35, 60-62, 79-79, 87-83