Ginebra vs TNT Game 1: Key Plays and Final Score Breakdown You Need to See

Walking into the arena last night, I could already feel the electricity in the air—Ginebra and TNT facing off in Game 1 is always something special, and this time was no different. As a longtime PBA fan and someone who’s analyzed more than my fair share of games, I’ve come to expect certain rhythms in these matchups, but last night’s clash had a unique intensity from the get-go. Both teams came out firing, but it was Ginebra’s early defensive pressure that really caught my eye, forcing TNT into some uncharacteristic turnovers in the first quarter. Honestly, I thought TNT might buckle under that pressure, but they’ve got resilience written all over them, and they clawed back with some sharp three-point shooting that kept things tight.

By halftime, the score was knotted at 48-48, and I remember thinking how this game was living up to the hype—fast-paced, physical, and full of momentum swings. The third quarter, though, was where Ginebra started to pull away, and I have to give credit to Scottie Thompson for his relentless energy on both ends of the floor. He finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it was his defensive stops that really shifted the tide. One play that stands out in my mind was around the 6-minute mark when he stripped the ball from TNT’s import and sparked a fast break that ended with a thunderous dunk from Japeth Aguilar. Moments like that are why I love watching Ginebra—they feed off that crowd energy and turn it into pure momentum.

On the TNT side, I was impressed by Roger Pogoy’s scoring outburst in the second half—he dropped 24 points total, including 5 three-pointers, and at one point, it felt like he couldn’t miss. But as the game wore on, TNT’s offense seemed to stall, and I couldn’t help but recall a quote from a recent interview that stuck with me: “It just seems to be that's the way the game has been going for us lately.” That sentiment echoed in my head as TNT struggled to execute in the clutch, missing key free throws and committing costly fouls down the stretch. It’s frustrating to watch because I know they have the talent, but lately, the breaks just aren’t going their way, and last night was another example of that trend.

The final quarter was a nail-biter, with Ginebra holding a slim lead of 85-82 with just over two minutes left. But then Christian Standhardinger, who had been quiet for most of the game, came up huge with back-to-back baskets in the paint, pushing the lead to 89-82 and effectively sealing the deal. I’ve always been a fan of Standhardinger’s old-school post moves, and seeing him deliver in crunch time was a reminder of why he’s such a vital piece for Ginebra. TNT tried to mount a late comeback, but time wasn’t on their side, and the final buzzer sounded with Ginebra on top, 94-88.

Reflecting on the game, I think Ginebra’s depth and experience made the difference—they had 5 players in double figures and outrebounded TNT 45-38, which is a stat that doesn’t lie. For TNT, it’s back to the drawing board, and as a fan of the league, I hope they can turn things around because a competitive series is what we all want to see. Personally, I’m leaning toward Ginebra taking this series in 5 games, but if TNT can fix their late-game execution, it could get interesting. Either way, last night’s Game 1 was a thrilling start, and I’m already counting down to the next matchup.