PBA Finals: Ginebra Faces 'No Excuses' After Crushing Game 5 Loss

MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson was straightforward in his assessment after the Gin Kings suffered a devastating 99-72 loss to TNT in Game 5 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals on Wednesday.

“They just outplayed us,” Thompson said, offering no excuses for his team's lackluster performance. “The key for us now is to move forward. That’s it. We're still in this series, and we just have to keep fighting.”

With the loss, Ginebra now faces a 3-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series, putting them on the verge of elimination. TNT seized control early, building a commanding lead by halftime that Ginebra—known for its resilience—could not overcome.

Thompson contributed 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while his backcourt partner, LA Tenorio, also tallied 13. However, the rest of the Gin Kings struggled to find any rhythm, with import Justin Brownlee finishing with a quiet eight points.

“It’s tough, but we have to stay positive and focus on Game 6,” Thompson said. "We’ve been in tough situations before, and we know how to bounce back."

Despite the setback, the Gin Kings remain confident in their ability to turn things around. Thompson noted that TNT’s coaching staff made effective adjustments, catching Ginebra off guard. But he was optimistic that their own coaching staff would find ways to counter in the next game.

“We’ve been down before,” Thompson added, referencing Ginebra's comeback from an 0-2 deficit earlier in the series. "As long as we stay positive and believe in each other, we can force a Game 7."

Cone Stays Calm, Focused on the Bigger Picture

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, a seasoned strategist, echoed Thompson’s sentiment, stressing the importance of not dwelling on the defeat.

“It’s just one game in a series,” Cone said. “It doesn’t matter if we lost by 30 or by one. The key is to move on and focus on the next game. Our goal is still to win the series, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

The 27-point loss was the largest in a PBA Finals game for Ginebra since 2018, when they were defeated 132-94 by San Miguel in Game 3 of the Commissioner’s Cup. Despite the heavy loss, the Gin Kings went on to win that series in six games—a reminder of their ability to rally under pressure.

High Stakes for Game 6

Cone, however, noted that his team appeared fatigued heading into Game 5, despite a two-day break between games. “We looked overly tired tonight,” Cone said. “We didn’t move as well as we should have. It’s something we’ll have to address heading into Game 6.”

With their backs against the wall, Ginebra knows they must win two consecutive games to keep their championship hopes alive and avenge last year’s loss to TNT in the Finals.

“We have to come out with a little desperation in Game 6,” Cone said, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "I’m disappointed, but we just have to reset, focus on the next game, and see what we can do."

Game 6 will be held on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Game 7—if necessary—scheduled for Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Gin Kings know the road ahead is tough, but they’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. As Thompson put it: “We’ve been here before. We’ll stay positive, and we’ll keep fighting.”