LIVE: PBA semis Game 5: TNT-Rain or Shine, Ginebra-NorthPort

March 7, Friday – Smart Araneta Coliseum

• 5:00 p.m.-  TNT Tropang Giga vs Rain or Shine Elastopainters
• 7:30 p.m. – Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings vs NorthPort Batang Pier

PBA: Ginebra vs NorthPort

NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan after the loss

Even with a semifinals exit at tow, coach Bonnie Tan considers Northport’s conference as a “blessing.” @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xlpWLu4GGQ

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

VIDEO: Ginebra post-game interview after returning to PBA Finals

‘HOPEFULLY, THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM’

Justin Brownlee hopes Ginebra can finally beat TNT in the #PBAFinals in their third Finals series in three years. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/A9YeKl3CJ1

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

Returning in the #PBAFinals stage for Ginebra is Jamie Malonzo, who was sidelined last conference with a calf injury. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/0rsrt553s1

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals is set on Friday

Before they go on a coaching chess match in the #PBAFinals, Ginebra coach Tim Cone gave TNT mentor Chot Reyes his flowers for keeping the Tropang Giga intact, sans Jayson Castro.

Game 1 of the Finals rolls on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/DzYCcr3i4q

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

Ginebra coach Tim Cone and RJ Abarrientos after defeating Northport in the Comms. Cup semis and moving on to the #PBAFinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Xk8UK7yxIy

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• PBA Finals rematch between rivals Ginebra and TNT

REBANSE! 📞👑

TNT.
Ginebra.
Best-of-seven.
Second straight #PBAFinals.
Enough said.@INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/dOIDD4BumK

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

THE GIN KINGS MOVE CLOSER TO THE KINGDOM. 👑

FINAL: Ginebra sets up a date with TNT in the #PBAFinals after defeating Northport in Game 5 of the Comms. Cup semis, 126-99. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Lx1LV3d4on

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• Ginebra looking good with just a quarter left.

END OF THE THIRD:

Ginebra looks to be in prime position to join TNT in the #PBAFinals as they lead Northport, 97-76, heading into the final quarter of Game 5. @INQUIRERSports

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• Ginebra in total control against NorthPort in Game 5

Just like that. Ginebra has, once again, built a humongous lead in the third quarter over Northport, 86-58, with 6:19 to go in the third frame. @INQUIRERSports

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• Ginebra looking good. Gin Kings just two quarters away from another Finals run

AT THE HALF:

Ginebra holds a nine-point lead over Northport at the end of the first two quarters, 62-53. @INQUIRERSports

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• Ginebra aiming to join TNT in the PBA Finals

Action continues here in Araneta.

Ginebra looking to close out Northport in Game 5 of their own semis series as they lead, 33-27, with 9:19 to go in the first half. @INQUIRERSports

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

PBA: TNT vs Rain or Shine

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Many things in the PBA are certain. One of which is Rondae Hollis-Jefferson turning in an epic performance to push TNT to a PBA Finals appearance.

That’s exactly what happened on Friday at Araneta Coliseum in Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals when the Tropang Giga subdued Rain or Shine to win the series, 4-1, behind another masterclass from the two-time Best Import.

TNT guard Rey Nambatac (6) and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–TNT pulled out all the necessary stops on Friday night to slip past Rain or Shine, 97-92, and book a ticket to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered 42 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks as the Tropang Giga disposed of the ElastoPainters in Game 5 of the conference semifinals at Smart Araneta Coliseum, ultimately tabbing the first seat in the championship showdown.

• Rain or Shine sent packing in the semis

Today is a rainy day for Rain or Shine. 😣

The Elasto Painters officially close out their Commissioner’s Cup campaign after bowing to TNT in the semifinals, 4-1. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/qFJBFne1DU

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

VIDEO: TNT post-game interview after making the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals

• Without Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac is expected to do more for TNT in the Finals

Rey Nambatac has some huge responsibilities ahead in the #PBAFinals for TNT. Especially, since they’re without lead guard, Jayson Castro. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/FN148f6hCq

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• Rain or Shine’s Caelan Tiongson sticking to the positives after semis exit

Rain or Shine may have failed to reach the #PBAFinals but Caelan Tiongson had some positives to gain after arguably his best conference in the league. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Z33ZNuf3He

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• Ronade Hollis-Jefferson delivers with 42 points and 11 rebounds

TNT certainly benefitted from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s calmness as he finished with 42 points and 11 rebounds. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/CcQb28JwIc

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

BOLD PREDICTION FROM COACH CHOT 👀

After reaching the #PBAFinals, TNT coach Chot Reyes said it’s ‘no secret,’ that the Tropang Giga will face Ginebra, albeit the Gin Kings still in a 3-1 lead over Northport in their own semis bracket. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/5dva6pHSet

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and coach Chot Reyes after going to the #PBAFinals for the second straight conference. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Afu1ByinOo

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• TNT Tropang Giga clinch a spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals

RING, RING! THE #PBAFinals CALLED AND TNT ANSWERED.

TNT advances to the Comms. Cup after defeating Rain or Shine in the semis and downing the Elasto Painters in Game 5, 97-92. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/rWI22g3BvN

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

TNT looking to hang on and advance to the PBA Finals with an 88-83 lead over Rain or Shine with 2:06 to go in the fourth. @INQUIRERSports

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• In do-or-die mode, Rain or Shine in the driver’s seat at the intermission.

AT THE HALF:

Rain or Shine showing they want to stay in this series as they lead TNT at the half, 46-44. @INQUIRERSports

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

• TNT, shooting for a finals berth, leads Rain or Shine early in Game 5 of the PBA semis.

TNT holds a one-point lead over Rain or Shine after the first quarter of Game 5, 28-27. @INQUIRERSports

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

Today’s big question: END OR EXTEND?

Will TNT march on to the PBA Comms. Cup Finals or will Rain or Shine stay alive?

The same question will be asked in the second game when Ginebra aims to reach the Finals with a win over Northport. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/kNcZzdKXB8

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

TNT forward Calvin Oftana during a PBA semifinals game against Rain or Shine.–PBA IMAGES

TNT brushed off any internal turmoil following Poy Erram’s meltdown that resulted in him getting into a heated exchange with teammate Glenn Khobuntin.

But even if that’s the case, Erram made sure he would be accountable for his moment of madness, especially now that the Tropang Giga are on the doorstep of reaching their next mission.

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