Kings regain PBA throne

MANILA, Philippines —  Finally, that intoxicating feeling of capturing a PBA championship comes back to Barangay Ginebra.

For the first time since their momentous triumph in front of a record 54,589 fans in Bocaue, Bulacan in early 2023, the Gin Kings took a bow to loud cheers and applause from their faithful as new rulers of the Commissioner’s Cup.

It’s a journey back to the top filled with hardships and heartaches.

After their celebrated Season 47 conquest over high-powered guest team Bay Area, 114-99, that was witnessed by the largest crowd ever, the Gin Kings missed out on the jewel for seven straight conferences.

In that period, they made the finals thrice, losing each time to TNT.

As if by design, coach Tim Cone and his crew ended their drought by ending the Tropang 5G’s reign.

With an 88-76 Game 7 victory, the Justin Brownlee-anchored Gin Kings dethroned TNT, getting back at their old tormentors in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup final as well as the Season 47 and Season 49 Governors’ Cup Last Dance.

Brownlee followed up his 54 and 52-point performances with a 30-14 outing in the clincher. He dropped 16 in the second half and fuelled the 48-29 closeout that keyed their breakaway to the delight of their “Sixth man” in the 24,617-strong crowd at the MOA Arena.

“These beautiful fans, they gave us the energy to go out there and win.  We were down and TNT gave us a battle. But as coach Tim kept telling us ‘this is our time.’ Stephen Holt said it before the series started ‘this is our time.’ And it was our time,” said Brownlee.

JB couldn’t help but shed tears after winning his seventh PBA title – the most for any import in history.

“It means everything. Ten years ago I would never have thought I’d be still playing at 38 years old and winning championships but these fans, they give me the energy to go out there play for them, play for my family and give my best,” he said.

Scottie Thompson came out big in the closeout, delivering a near triple double of 19-11-8 en route to winning the PBA Press Corps’ Ramon Fernandez Finals MVP Trophy.

RJ Abarrientos had 13 as he won his maiden PBA crown.