Barangay Ginebra refused to back down. Behind the brilliance of Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson, the Kings pulled off a gritty 71-70 victory over TNT in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals on Sunday at the MOA Arena, leveling the series at 1-1.

Brownlee delivered a stellar 35-point, 11-rebound performance, while Thompson nearly secured a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Their two-way dominance kept Ginebra in the game before clutch execution and a crucial defensive stand sealed the win.

“They just showed true grit all the way through the game,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “We knew if we’re going to have a chance in the series, we have to show that character and that true grit.”

Ginebra’s defensive stand stifles TNT

After falling short in Game 1, the Kings responded with a defensive masterpiece, limiting TNT to just four points in the second quarter and 19 in the first half—both all-time low marks in PBA Finals history.

Despite their struggles, the Tropang Giga mounted a late rally, unleashing a 14-3 run to take a 70-67 lead with 2:31 left.

But Ginebra refused to fold. Brownlee took over in crunch time, scoring four crucial points to reclaim the lead at 71-70, before Ginebra’s defense shut down TNT’s final possessions.

“We just had to dig deep and make sure we locked in defensively,” said Thompson, emphasizing the team’s focus on stopping TNT’s high-powered offense.

TNT’s shooting struggles doom their Game 2 effort

The Tropang Giga’s offense stalled, finishing with their lowest-scoring half in Finals history.

• Second quarter: 4 points (2-of-22 FG)
• First half: 19 points (all-time Finals low, replacing Shell’s 21 in 1999)
• Three-point shooting: 6-of-31 (after 14-of-37 in Game 1)

Despite the struggles, Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, and RR Pogoy came alive late, hitting clutch threes before Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s free throws gave TNT a slim edge.

Brownlee, however, answered with a clutch shot, followed by the go-ahead free throws to put Ginebra ahead for good.

Thompson’s turnover, Ginebra’s final stop save the win

With nine seconds left, Thompson committed a turnover, giving TNT one last shot to steal the game. But Ginebra’s defense held firm, denying the Tropang Giga a clean look to escape with the hard-fought win.

“We made stops when we needed to,” said Brownlee, who delivered in both scoring and crucial defensive moments.

What’s next: Game 3 showdown

With the series now a best-of-five battle, both teams get a two-day break before Game 3 at PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

• Can TNT bounce back offensively, or will Ginebra’s defense continue to dominate?
• Will Brownlee maintain his scoring explosion?

The battle for the PBA Governors’ Cup crown is far from over.