In a heart-stopping Manila Clasico, Scottie Thompson emerged as the yuletide hero, burying a go-ahead triple at the buzzer to complete Barangay Ginebra’s sensational come-from-behind 95-92 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots. The highly-anticipated Christmas Day rivalry game lived up to the hype, delivering an instant classic that will be etched in PBA lore.
Gin Kings Overcome 22-Point Deficit
Ginebra appeared headed for a lopsided defeat after Magnolia built a commanding 76-54 advantage late in the third quarter. However, the Gin Kings showcased their trademark “Never Say Die” spirit, engineering a stunning 25-point swing sparked by the long-range sniping of Justin Brownlee and rookie sensation RJ Abarrientos.
Abarrientos, who finished with an impressive 20 points and 5 assists, spoke about the team’s mindset when facing the large deficit:
“I just needed to step up for our team. Na-encourage din kami kasi Christmas and lahat gusto umuwi ng panalo. But sabi nga ni coach Tim [Cone], ‘NSD’ [never say die], kaya need namin ipakita ‘yung best namin sa crowd dahil Manila Clasico.”
– RJ Abarrientos
Brownlee’s Interior Dominance Shifts Momentum
With Ginebra’s half-court offense sputtering, they turned to resident import Justin Brownlee to carry the scoring load in the post. Brownlee’s strength and footwork proved too much for Magnolia’s defenders, who were forced to send double teams. This opened up space for Ginebra’s shooters, with Abarrientos knocking down back-to-back triples to end the third period.
Brownlee put on a clutch performance down the stretch, drilling three treys in the final five minutes en route to a game-high 28 points. His interior presence and shot-making ability kept Ginebra within striking distance and set the stage for Thompson’s game-winner.
Magnolia’s Miscues Fuel Ginebra’s Comeback
While Ginebra’s offensive explosion fueled their rally, Magnolia’s uncharacteristic mistakes also played a crucial role. The Hotshots, known for their precise execution, succumbed to the pressure of the raucous pro-Ginebra crowd.
Magnolia committed several ill-advised shots and live-ball turnovers, which Ginebra capitalized on to the tune of 29 points off 22 Hotshots errors. By speeding up the pace, Magnolia played right into Ginebra’s hands, as the Gin Kings thrive in transition and broken play situations.
Consistency Still a Concern for Cone
Despite the euphoria of the Christmas Clasico victory, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone stressed the need for his squad to iron out their inconsistencies. Just as they squandered a 17-point lead against Converge in their previous game, the Gin Kings once again dug themselves a 22-point hole versus Magnolia.
“We’ve got to do a better job on the boards and get more physical. There are times we’re absolutely dominant, and then there are stretches where we really struggle. We need to find more consistency as we head into tougher matchups.”
– Tim Cone
Moving forward, Ginebra must address their rebounding woes and tendency to lose focus for extended periods. Nonetheless, their ability to pull out cardiac comebacks is a hallmark of the franchise’s identity and a testament to the team’s unwavering belief.
Christmas Clasico Continues to Captivate
The Manila Clasico matchup between Ginebra and Magnolia has become a holiday tradition, with the PBA staging five Christmas Day duels featuring the rivals over the past decade. Ginebra now holds a 4-1 edge in these festive encounters.
- 2015: Ginebra def. Star Hotshots (Quarterfinals)
- 2017: Ginebra def. Magnolia
- 2018: Magnolia def. Ginebra
- 2020: Ginebra def. Magnolia
- 2024: Ginebra def. Magnolia
Among these Yuletide showdowns, Ginebra’s quarterfinal triumph in 2015 remains one of the most memorable. In that game, the Gin Kings also overcame a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to eliminate the then-Star Hotshots and advance to the semifinals.
With each passing year, the Christmas Clasico grows in stature and anticipation. Regardless of the teams’ positions in the standings, fans can always expect an emotionally charged battle filled with dramatic moments whenever Ginebra and Magnolia cross paths on December 25th.
As the latest chapter of this storied rivalry came to a close, basketball aficionados left the arena with an early Christmas gift – an instant classic that will forever be associated with Scottie Thompson’s heroics and the Barangay’s “Never Say Die” identity. The Manila Clasico once again lived up to its billing as the most anticipated game of the PBA calendar.
