MANILA, Philippines — After a thrilling regular-season finale, Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is entering the playoffs with a reinforced roster and a healthy respect for their rivals. The Gin Kings closed out the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round with a 93-86 victory over TNT Tropang 5G on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena, securing the No. 2 seed and a twice-to-beat advantage.
Despite the victory, Cone issued a warning to the rest of the league: do not count out the eighth-seeded Tropang 5G.
The most significant “boost” for the Gin Kings was the return of veteran big man Japeth Aguilar, who had been sidelined for the latter half of the elimination round due to a lung problem that required hospitalization.
- Reacclimation: Aguilar played limited minutes, finishing with 6 points and 3 rebounds.
- Defensive Duty: Despite his restricted time, he spent crucial stretches defending TNT’s towering import, Bol Bol.
- Coach’s Take: Tim Cone emphasized that the stats were secondary to getting Aguilar back in rhythm. “We didn’t want to extend his minutes too long, but we really wanted him to get in and feel the competition,” Cone said. “He’ll be a force for us in the playoffs.”
The game served as a showcase for TNT import Bol Bol, whose performance drew high praise from the Ginebra camp.
- Massive Numbers: The 7-foot-4 Bol finished with a game-high 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks, nearly single-handedly erasing a 15-point Ginebra lead in the fourth quarter.
- Cone’s Admiration: “He’s such a force in the game… we’ve had the honor to watch him play 12 games here now, and I just think it’s an honor to have him in the country,” Cone remarked.
- Abarrientos Closes the Door: Rookie sensation RJ Abarrientos proved to be the hero for Ginebra, scoring 17 points, including a crucial jumper over Bol and a dagger three-pointer with 48 seconds left to seal the win.
The final standings for the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals are now set:
| Seed | Team | Matchup | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | NLEX Road Warriors | vs. No. 8 TNT | NLEX (Twice-to-beat) |
| No. 2 | Barangay Ginebra | vs. No. 7 Phoenix | Ginebra (Twice-to-beat) |
| No. 3 | Rain or Shine | vs. No. 6 San Miguel | ROS (Twice-to-beat) |
| No. 4 | Meralco Bolts | vs. No. 5 Magnolia | Meralco (Twice-to-beat) |
Despite TNT sliding to the 8th seed with a 6-6 record, Cone remains wary of the “Tropang 5G.” He noted that TNT can “turn it around in a heartbeat” and remains a team that everyone must keep their eyes on. TNT now faces a “sister-team” showdown against top-seeded NLEX, where they must win twice to advance.