Ginebra returns to the PBA throne behind old reliables Brownlee, Scottie

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings celebrate after beating TNT Tropang 5G and winning the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Scottie Thompson, as he has done for most of his PBA career, answered the challenge for Barangay Ginebra in the final showdown for the Commissioner’s Cup crown.

And with Justin Brownlee coming through with another master class that solidified his spot in the pantheon of imports.

Thompson came through in the second half and the Gin Kings outlasted the TNT Tropang 5G, 88-76, in a deciding seventh game before a crowd of 24,617 at Mall of Asia Arena to end its three-year chase for a championship.

“This is the most difficult championship we ever had,” Thompson said.

Bouncing back from his struggles in the past three games, Thompson posted 19 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals to help Ginebra win its first title since the 2022-2023 edition of the same tournament.

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Scottie Thompson is named Finals MVP after helping Ginebra win the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The next eight conferences produced no titles for Ginebra, but Brownlee and Thompson weren’t about to let that spell continue.

Brownlee put up 30 points, 14 rebounds and five assists to become the winningest PBA import with seven, breaking his tie with Ginebra coach Tim Cone’s former ward at Alaska in Sean Chambers.

“Everybody was saying that we couldn’t win because Justin was too short and too old,” Cone said. “But Justin proved once again that he is the greatest of all time among imports.”

Thompson’s eighth title of his career came with a bonus as he was named PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player, taking home the Ramon Fernandez Trophy.

He is the second player to secure the recently christened trophy given by PBA beat reporters after June Mar Fajardo, who won the Fernandez trophy last February when San Miguel Beer captured the Philippine Cup.

During the series in which Ginebra had to fight its way to the franchise’s 16th title, Thompson averaged 10.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.3 steals.

Thompson and Brownlee were both emotional at the end of the game.

“This is the most emotional Finals MVP win of mine,” Thompson said, his voice cracking after receiving the trophy.

Brownlee, too, cracked up after the game.

“It means everything,” he said before pausing and wiping tears. “Ten years ago, I’d never thought I’d be playing at 38 years old and win championships. But these fans give me the energy to play for them, play for my family.”

Ginebra returned to the PBA mountain top after its last crown was secured in January 2023, defeating foreign guest team Bay Area before a record attendance of over 54,000 at Philippine Arena.