Let’s sit down and talk about Game 1 of the PBA Finals.
If you were one of the 11,447 fans packed inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, you know you got your money's worth. Barangay Ginebra escaped with a thrilling 102-100 victory over TNT to open this best-of-seven series.
But as the final buzzer sounded, it left everyone asking one big question: Was this Ginebra victory saved by Justin Brownlee, or were they saved by the referees?
Let's look at the final play. Ginebra had just taken the lead on an unbelievable shot, leaving only 0.6 seconds on the clock. TNT coach Chot Reyes drew up a beautiful inbound play—Jordan Heading threw a perfect lob to Calvin Oftana at the rim. Oftana missed the layup, but Reyes immediately walked over to the officials, complaining that there was a foul on Justin Brownlee during the shot.
When you look at the tape, Chot Reyes’ claim is completely valid. There was contact. In the regular season, in the second quarter, you might see that whistle blown. But the decision by the referees not to call it? That was also completely valid. In the final fraction of a second in a championship game, referees historically do not want to decide the outcome on a whistle unless it’s an egregious, undeniable hack. They let the players play. Reyes knew it, too, gracefully accepting the loss afterward and crediting Ginebra for their execution down the stretch.
So, if it wasn't the refs, who saved Ginebra?
The answer is simple: Justin Brownlee.
Ginebra had completely blown an 18-point lead. They looked rattled as TNT went on a blistering fourth-quarter blitz, taking a 95-90 lead with just three minutes left. But when the lights got bright, Brownlee reminded everyone why he is one of the most clutch players to ever lace them up in the Philippines. He capped off a 23-point, 8-assist night by banking in a classic, fading jumper over the outstretched arms of a towering Chris McCullough with under a second remaining.
You also have to talk about what happened right before that game-winner. Ginebra has officially found a new superstar in rookie RJ Abarrientos. When the ship was sinking in the fourth quarter, this kid showed absolutely no fear. Abarrientos finished with 24 points and 7 assists, knocking down two clutch four-point shots to drag the Gin Kings back into the lead when TNT looked poised to steal the game. Coach Tim Cone admitted after the game that his team lost control of the defense in the second half. They needed a rescue mission.
TNT is going to be just fine—Chris McCullough and RR Pogoy played tremendous basketball, and they proved they can erase any lead Ginebra throws at them.
But for Game 1, it wasn't a referee's whistle that settled the score. It was a legendary import doing legendary things. Ginebra was saved by Brownlee, plain and simple. Game 2 is Friday, and if it's anything like the opener, you won't want to miss it.
Related Article: PBA Controversy: Rain or Shine head coach versus SMC Director, round 2!
Comments
Post a Comment