I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Smart Araneta Coliseum as I found my seat for Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals between TNT and Ginebra. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've learned to recognize that special energy when two powerhouse teams collide, and tonight felt electric from the warm-ups. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation - you could practically taste the rivalry in the air.
TNT came out swinging with an intensity that frankly surprised me, given their underdog status coming into this series. They opened with a 15-6 run in the first quarter, with import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson looking every bit the NBA veteran he is. What impressed me most wasn't just his 28-point performance but how he facilitated the offense, creating opportunities that TNT desperately needed against Ginebra's formidable defense. I've watched countless imports come through the PBA, but Hollis-Jefferson's adaptability to the Philippine style of play while maintaining his NBA-level fundamentals is something special.
The real story of the first half, though, was Von Pessumal. Now here's a player I've been watching since his Ateneo days, and I'll admit I've always felt he was underutilized in his previous teams. Watching him tonight was like seeing a different player altogether. He dropped 18 points with four three-pointers in just the first two quarters, and what struck me was his confidence with the ball. There was one particular sequence where he sank a contested three, then came back down court and stole the ball from Stanley Pringle - the kind of two-way play we rarely saw from him when he was mostly riding the bench in past seasons.
I spoke with Pessumal briefly during the preseason, and he mentioned how excited he was about his larger role with TNT. Seeing that excitement translate onto the court tonight was genuinely satisfying. He's not just standing in the corner waiting for spot-up opportunities anymore - the coaching staff is running plays for him, using him in pick-and-roll situations, and trusting him with late-clock decisions. That kind of confidence from the coaching staff can completely transform a player's career, and we're witnessing that transformation in real time.
Ginebra, to their credit, weathered the storm through their typical methodical approach. Justin Brownlee was his usual steady self, finishing with 24 points and 11 rebounds, but what concerned me was their perimeter defense. They allowed TNT to shoot 42% from beyond the arc, which is simply unacceptable at this level of competition. Coach Tim Cone is too experienced to let that continue, and I expect we'll see significant adjustments in Game 2. Christian Standhardinger battled hard in the paint, contributing 16 points and 8 rebounds, but he seemed to struggle against TNT's double teams in the post.
The third quarter saw Ginebra mount their characteristic comeback, cutting what was once a 15-point lead down to just 4 with about three minutes left in the period. This is where championship experience typically shines, and the Ginebra faithful in the arena came alive. But TNT didn't fold - that's what impressed me most about their performance. Instead of crumbling under pressure, they responded with a 10-2 run of their own, with Mikey Williams hitting two crucial baskets to close the quarter.
As someone who's analyzed basketball strategy for years, I have to give credit to TNT's coaching staff for their rotation management. They kept their key players fresh while still maintaining offensive rhythm, something that's much easier said than done against a deep team like Ginebra. Roger Pogoy's defensive effort on Scottie Thompson was particularly noteworthy - he limited the former MVP to just 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting, which is no small feat.
The fourth quarter turned into the back-and-forth battle we all expected from these two teams. With about five minutes remaining, the score was tied at 85-85, and you could feel the tension throughout the arena. This is where championship series are often decided - not with spectacular plays, but with execution under pressure. TNT made the smarter decisions down the stretch, particularly in their shot selection. They didn't settle for contested jumpers but attacked the basket and drew fouls, converting 78% of their free throws compared to Ginebra's 68%.
When the final buzzer sounded with TNT securing the 98-94 victory, what struck me was how different this team looks from the one that struggled earlier in the conference. They've found their identity at exactly the right time, and players like Pessumal are embracing roles that perfectly suit their skillsets. The box score shows Pessumal finished with 22 points, his highest output in a playoff game, but numbers don't capture how transformative his performance was for TNT's offensive dynamics.
Having watched this rivalry develop over the years, I can say this Game 1 felt different from previous encounters. TNT played with a confidence and cohesion that suggests they genuinely believe they can dethrone the perennial contenders. The series is far from over - Ginebra has proven time and again their ability to adjust and respond - but tonight belonged to TNT and their emerging contributors. What excites me most as a basketball analyst isn't just the final score, but the individual stories developing within this series, particularly Pessumal's career resurgence. If he continues to perform at this level, TNT might just have the x-factor needed to overcome Ginebra's championship pedigree.
