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McCullough's 53-Point Explosion Keeps TNT Alive, Forces Finals Game 7
Photo credit: PBA
Chris McCullough delivered the performance of a lifetime as TNT Tropang 5G refused to surrender its title hopes, defeating Barangay Ginebra, 98-90, to force a winner-take-all Game 7 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With TNT facing elimination, McCullough erupted for a massive 53 points and 22 rebounds, carrying the Tropang 5G through a hard-fought battle before a crowd of 22,731 fans.
The former PBA champion import went toe-to-toe with Ginebra star Justin Brownlee in a memorable scoring duel. Brownlee followed up his 54-point performance in Game 5 with another impressive outing, finishing with 52 points. But when the game was on the line, it was McCullough who delivered the decisive blows.
TNT entered the contest shorthanded, missing Calvin Oftana due to a calf injury and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser because of an ankle sprain. The situation became even tougher when veteran guard Jayson Castro suffered a bad fall late in the game. Despite the setbacks, McCullough stepped up and refused to let TNT’s season end.
After seeing a 10-point lead disappear and Ginebra take an 80-78 advantage early in the fourth quarter, McCullough responded with a series of clutch baskets. He knocked down back-to-back three-pointers and converted a four-point play during a crucial stretch that helped TNT regain control and build a comfortable lead in the final minutes.
Jordan Heading provided valuable support with 19 points, while RR Pogoy chipped in 13 as TNT survived Ginebra’s first opportunity to clinch the championship.
McCullough’s remarkable effort came after he was brought in to replace the injured Bol Bol earlier in the conference, and he has since become the centerpiece of TNT’s title defense.
Head coach Chot Reyes praised his import’s determination after the game.
“I guess C-Mac got tired of Justin eating his lunch. Another 50-piece by Justin, but C-Mac was able to stay in step with him, and I think that’s basically the key,” Reyes said.
The TNT coach also revealed the team's mindset entering the do-or-die stretch.
“On our board, we wrote ‘96 minutes’ inside a heart. We told the players to play the best 96 minutes of our lives — Game 6 and Game 7. Now we've completed the first half of that challenge,” he added.
For Ginebra, Brownlee carried most of the offensive load as no other player reached double figures. Troy Rosario finished with nine points, while RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson were held to six and three points, respectively.
With the series now tied at 3-3, everything comes down to one final game. TNT and Ginebra will battle for the championship in Game 7 on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With TNT facing elimination, McCullough erupted for a massive 53 points and 22 rebounds, carrying the Tropang 5G through a hard-fought battle before a crowd of 22,731 fans.
The former PBA champion import went toe-to-toe with Ginebra star Justin Brownlee in a memorable scoring duel. Brownlee followed up his 54-point performance in Game 5 with another impressive outing, finishing with 52 points. But when the game was on the line, it was McCullough who delivered the decisive blows.
TNT entered the contest shorthanded, missing Calvin Oftana due to a calf injury and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser because of an ankle sprain. The situation became even tougher when veteran guard Jayson Castro suffered a bad fall late in the game. Despite the setbacks, McCullough stepped up and refused to let TNT’s season end.
After seeing a 10-point lead disappear and Ginebra take an 80-78 advantage early in the fourth quarter, McCullough responded with a series of clutch baskets. He knocked down back-to-back three-pointers and converted a four-point play during a crucial stretch that helped TNT regain control and build a comfortable lead in the final minutes.
Jordan Heading provided valuable support with 19 points, while RR Pogoy chipped in 13 as TNT survived Ginebra’s first opportunity to clinch the championship.
McCullough’s remarkable effort came after he was brought in to replace the injured Bol Bol earlier in the conference, and he has since become the centerpiece of TNT’s title defense.
Head coach Chot Reyes praised his import’s determination after the game.
“I guess C-Mac got tired of Justin eating his lunch. Another 50-piece by Justin, but C-Mac was able to stay in step with him, and I think that’s basically the key,” Reyes said.
The TNT coach also revealed the team's mindset entering the do-or-die stretch.
“On our board, we wrote ‘96 minutes’ inside a heart. We told the players to play the best 96 minutes of our lives — Game 6 and Game 7. Now we've completed the first half of that challenge,” he added.
For Ginebra, Brownlee carried most of the offensive load as no other player reached double figures. Troy Rosario finished with nine points, while RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson were held to six and three points, respectively.
With the series now tied at 3-3, everything comes down to one final game. TNT and Ginebra will battle for the championship in Game 7 on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Jun 15, 2026
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