Ginebra holds off Rain or Shine to level semis series at 1-1

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ import Justin Brownlee during a game in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra weathered a late storm from Rain or Shine to pull out a 109-101 victory in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

After absorbing a heartbreaking 115-111 loss in Game 1, the Gin Kings bounced back to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

“They played their style again, they kept the pace up,” coach Tim Cone said.

“It came down in the fourth and gave themselves a chance to win, we played right into it and it’s hard not to because they come at you in a lot of ways… It’s very difficult because we overplayed Justin (Brownlee), Troy (Rosario) and Scottie (Thompson) so from a coaching standpoint, I expected them to do that.”

Japeth Aguilar scored inside midway through the fourth quarter to give Ginebra what seemed to be a comfortable 98-78 lead.

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Scottie Thompson during a game in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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But the Elasto Painters refused to fold, unloading a 19-3 run capped by a triple from Jaylen Johnson to trim the deficit to 101-97 with 1:37 remaining.

Scottie Thompson calmly knocked down two free throws to push the lead back to six, 103-97, before Jhonard Clarito answered with two freebies of his own to keep Rain or Shine within striking distance, 103-99, with under 40 seconds left.

Troy Rosario, however, got free underneath for the dagger basket that gave the Gin Kings a decisive 105-99 cushion with 23 seconds to go en route to the win.

Justin Brownlee flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 31 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Ginebra.

RJ Abarrientos added 25 points, while Thompson chipped in 15. Aguilar also posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Adrian Nocum finished with 20 points in the Rain or Shine loss, while Johnson and Clarito had 19 points each. Gian Mamuyac also had 18 in the defeat.