BIG time players thrive in big moments—whether he is a defensive player does not matter.
TNT forward Glenn Khobuntin proved this in Game 7 of the Tropang Giga’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup title triumph over the Ginebra Kings last Friday night.
“Grabe, sobrang saya kasi umabot kami ng Game 7, sobrang hirap ng game,” Khobuntin said. “Sobrang happy talaga namin, sobrang blessed.
“Talagang thank you Lord na nakuha namin iyong game. Ang dami naming pinagdaanan,” he added.
The 6-foot-4 Khobubtin showed up in the fourth quarter and overtime, tasked to contain Ginebra star import Justin Brownlee.
A former National University standout who was a vital cog of the team that ended a 60-year title dry spell in the UAAP in 2014, Khobuntin wound up with 14 points and three rebounds in his side’s riveting 87-83 OT decision over the Kings.
Khobuntin banged in a three-pointer that made it a 75-72 game for TNT and followed it up with another jumper that gave the Tropang Giga a 77-74 cushion with 47 seconds left.
But Ginebra was able to force an extension via an equally clutch triple from Brownlee.
In extended play, Khobuntin drained a trey to push their lead to 85-79, only 2:22 left.
“Wala na akong iniisip, Game 7 na iyon so kung ano iyong bibitawan iyon na iyon, balik na lang sa defense. Thankful talaga,” Khobuntin, basking in champagne, sweat, and the ring’s net, said.
“Kasi una injured na si RHJ so wala na iyong best scorer namin so iyon nag-usap lang kami kung sino iyong aggressive, stay aggressive.”
TNT coach Chot Reyes gave Khobuntin, 33, plaudits for his heroics in the no-tomorrow duel.
“He’s been struggling for this whole series and before Game 6, I told him to remember who he is and what he brings to the team. I noticed that if he couldn’t shoot, it affects the other parts of his game,” Reyes said. “His scoring is just a bonus; his real contribution is his defense and his rebounding. When he focused on the important things and his real strength, his scoring followed. In Game 7, without Roger (Pogoy) there and a hobbled Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson), his points were invaluable.”
A maiden victory in sudden death all the more made it memorable for Khobuntin.
“First Game 7 ko ito, actually nag-Game 7 na ako kaso na-injure ako, All-Filipino (in 2022),” he said. “Mayroong kaba, siyempre. Siguro iniisip ko rin iyong hard work na ginawa ko.”
