Heading takes charge as Tropang 5G tie series vs Gin Kings 2-2

MANILA, Philippines — Jordan Heading waxed hot as TNT equalized its PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series against Barangay Ginebra, 106-98, in Game 4 Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Heading finished with 29 points, to go with eight assists and six rebounds on an efficient 11-of-20 shooting to tie the series up at two games apiece.

The two teams were trading leads through the third quarter, with a deuce by Japeth Aguilar giving Ginebra a 63-61 lead.

But a 19-5 run capped by a split from the line by Calvin Oftana broke the game wide open, 80-68, with 10:19 remaining.

And while a jumper by Troy Rosario snapped the run, TNT continued to roll as a Chris McCullough layup off the assist by Heading pushed the Tropang 5G’s lead to 18, 90-72, with 7:12 left.

The Gin Kings then tried to storm back, slicing the deficit to six, 98-104, with about 31 seconds to go.

But a pair of freebies by Calvin Oftana iced the game and set the final score.

McCullough backstopped Heading’s explosion with 24 points to go with 14 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Jayson Castro added 14 points, while Calvin Oftana bounced back from a two-point performance in Game 3 with 12 points this time around.

Newly crowned Best Import of the Conference Justin Brownlee powered Ginebra with 32 points, five rebounds and five assists. Newly minted Best Player of the Conference RJ Abarrientos chipped in 21 markers in the loss.

Game 5 is on Friday at 7:30 p.m.