Tropang Giga finishes the Gin Kings in Six Games, Castro, Hollis-Jefferson, stars.

Photo from Inquirer

After a tough six-game series, the TNT Tropang Giga claimed the PBA Governors’ Cup title after converting a ten-point win in a nerve-wracking Game 6 last Friday, November 8, in the finals, held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Giga’s veteran point guard, Jayson Castro, who played a major role in this championship, was named Finals MVP, which is his first as a solo player in his 16-year career with the Tropang Giga.

He proved that age is just a number, as for a 38-year-old, he posted spectacular stats, including 10.3 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, and 5.1 assists per game, along with clutch shots and plays over the last six games of the Governors’ Cup Finals.

“Sobrang special kasi diba andon nako sa latter part ng career ko at ilang years na lang [meron ako]. Sabi ko naman sa management tyaka sa mga teammates ko na hanggang nandito ako, ibibigay ko ‘yong best ko,” Castro said.

The contributions of Castro, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TNT’s import player, and veteran forward, RR Pogoy were all key to the Tropang Giga’s fourth-quarter comeback after trailing 66-74 at the beginning of the quarter.

Hollis-Jefferson was an x-factor in TNT’s system, delivering an all-around performance, with 31 points, 16 boards, and eight assists, while also stealing the ball two times in this game. 

RR Pogoy, one of the most seasoned players with the Tropang Giga, also provided 13 points, with nine of them coming from the fourth quarter, all from beyond the arc.

TNT Tropang Giga’s Head Coach, Chot Reyes, described that this finals series was one of a kind, giving props to their opponent, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. “Congratulations to Barangay Ginebra and Coach Tim (Cone). They are a worthy opponent, pero ayaw magpatalo ng mga players ko,” he added.

Despite leading early in Game 6, the Ginebra squad suffered their second straight Finals loss to the Tropang Giga, wasting the efforts of a splendid game by their rookie, RJ Abarrientos, who chalked up 31 points, keeping Ginebra in the game.

Ginebra’s import player, Justin Brownlee, and their recent addition, Stephen Holt, also added 16 and 12 points respectively, but it was not enough for the collective effort of the Tropang Giga.