Barangay Ginebra responded like a championship-caliber squad, overcoming a fierce Rain or Shine comeback attempt to secure a 109-101 victory in Game 2 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Friday night at the MOA Arena in Pasay City. The win allowed the Gin Kings to even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece after dropping the opener earlier in the week.

Ginebra appeared headed for a runaway victory after establishing a massive 24-point lead midway through the contest. However, Rain or Shine refused to back down and launched a furious rally late in the fourth quarter before the Gin Kings finally regained control in the closing seconds.

Justin Brownlee once again delivered a stellar all-around performance for Barangay Ginebra and finished with 31 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. The veteran import consistently answered every Rain or Shine run and provided stability whenever the game started to tighten.

RJ Abarrientos also stepped up with another composed outing despite absorbing a hit to the nose during the game. The rookie guard produced 21 points, six assists, two rebounds, and two steals while calmly sinking pressure-packed free throws in the final moments.

Scottie Thompson continued his steady production for the Gin Kings after contributing 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Japeth Aguilar also imposed his presence inside with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists as Ginebra dominated the paint for most of the contest.

Troy Rosario chipped in 11 points along with four rebounds and three assists while helping Ginebra maintain its offensive rhythm throughout the night. The balanced attack allowed the Gin Kings to rediscover the form that carried them to one of the best records during the elimination round.

Kings regain control

Barangay Ginebra immediately dictated the pace and intensity of the game from the opening quarter and repeatedly capitalized on transition opportunities. The Gin Kings also executed well defensively and prevented Rain or Shine from establishing its preferred up-tempo attack early in the contest.

The huge lead eventually reached 24 points as Ginebra continued to find success both inside the paint and from the perimeter. Brownlee, Abarrientos, and Thompson all delivered key baskets during the crucial stretch that allowed the Gin Kings to create significant separation.

Despite facing a huge deficit, Rain or Shine slowly clawed its way back behind relentless pressure and hustle plays on both ends of the floor. The Elasto Painters trimmed the gap to just four points, 99-103, with only 32.3 seconds left after putting together a dangerous late-game run.

The Gin Kings, however, stayed composed during the closing stretch and leaned on timely baskets from Rosario and Abarrientos to seal the victory. Ginebra also converted crucial free throws down the stretch to prevent Rain or Shine from completing another comeback.

Head coach Tim Cone admitted the momentum briefly shifted after a controversial call involving Abarrientos late in the game. Cone believed the play should have been ruled an offensive foul instead of a blocking foul against his rookie guard.

“I thought the game turned after a blocking call whistled on RJ Abarrientos. It should have been a charging foul on Jhonard Clarito. We got the short end of the call. We lost RJ for a few minutes and it hurt us,” Cone said. The veteran coach also stressed the importance of properly managing their energy against Rain or Shine’s relentless pace.

Elasto Painters refuse to quit

Rain or Shine once again displayed the resilience and fighting spirit that helped the team steal Game 1 earlier in the semifinal series. Even while trailing by more than 20 points, the Elasto Painters continued attacking aggressively and forced Ginebra into several tense possessions late in the contest.

The Elasto Painters’ late rally energized the crowd and briefly put pressure on the Gin Kings during the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Their aggressive defense and transition scoring allowed them to rapidly erase what once looked like an insurmountable deficit.

Although Rain or Shine ultimately fell short of completing the comeback, the squad once again proved capable of pushing Ginebra deep into difficult situations. The Elasto Painters’ ability to recover from huge deficits could remain a major factor as the series progresses further.

With the semifinal duel now tied at 1-1, both teams are expected to enter Game 3 carrying significant momentum and urgency. The race for a coveted Commissioner’s Cup Finals berth is expected to become even more physical and competitive in the coming games.