It was not the prettiest of victories, but Barangay Ginebra got the job done in avoiding being buried in a deep hole early in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series.

And what transpired after the Gin Kings’ 71-70 Game 2 win before 12,925 fans at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night is simply a clear indication of the tough task that will be required from either team to win the midseason tournament.

“We have to show that character, that true grit, for us to have a chance in this series,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone as the series was leveled at 1-1 after a game of ugly shooting from both teams before a heart-stopping finish.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 2

Justin Brownlee’s 35 points, which accounted close to half of Ginebra’s output, was a polar opposite of the game that had both teams throwing more bricks than makes—either because of good defense or just missing open attempts.

Despite forcing TNT to two Finals records for futility, Ginebra had to hold its breath after squandering a 13-point halftime lead and trailing, 70-67, in the dying seconds.

But the Gin Kings got the last four points from Brownlee while getting the stops on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who ended up going 6-of-23 for 23 points in what could be a positive sign for the crowd favorites.

“They just reached really deep to make two incredible stops,” Cone added in praise of his charges.

Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

And if Game 2 had that wild ending, the same is expected moving forward, starting with Game 3 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Scottie Thompson had 16 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, but almost had a costly turnover when, after grabbing the offensive glass off Brownlee’s miss, he threw a pass that was intercepted by Calvin Oftana.

But Ginebra doubled Hollis-Jefferson on the ensuing play and the Tropang Giga reinforcement couldn’t come up with a shot as time expired.

Shooting struggles

TNT almost won after being held to just four points in the second quarter and 19 at the half, both setting ugly records in the title series. Ginebra led, 32-19, at the break.

The frustration of having bad shooting coupled with the difficulty of catching up with the Gin Kings prompted Poy Erram to once again lose his cool and, at one point, kick some of the Tropang Giga’s equipment while heading back to the locker room in the third to blow off steam.

But TNT slowly came back with Rey Nambatac finding his shots and Oftana and RR Pogoy making three-pointers despite their struggles.

Pogoy only had 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting after going for 15 on five triples in the 95-89 win in Game 1, while Oftana had five on 2-of-8.

Nambatac scored 14 points with three rebounds and five assists for the Tropang Giga. INQ