PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals Guide: Schedule, where to watch, stories

Here we go again. For the fourth time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the TNT Tropang Giga will square off in the PBA finals.

This time, it's for the Season 49 Commissioner's Cup trophy. In 2020, Cone's squad drew first blood in the Philippine Cup.

But it seems super import Justin Brownlee has met his match in TNT's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. In their two finals clashes, RHJ has won 2-0 against JB in both the series and the Best Import award.

Who gets the edge in Season 49?

Check out the game schedules, where to watch, PBA tickets, results, highlights, and more.

SCHEDULE

Game 1 | Friday | March 14 | SM Mall of Asia Arena | TNT def. Ginebra, 95-89 

• TNT scorches Ginebra from 3-point range, takes Game 1 of PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals
• TNT import RHJ lauds teammates' efforts in Game 1: 'We played extremely hard defensively'
• Cone says Gin Kings 'little bit confused' in Game 1 loss to defensive-minded Tropang Giga
• RR Pogoy shares Jayson Castro’s message to TNT ahead of Game 1 of PBA Finals
• Our Snaps: TNT Tropang Giga draw first blood vs Ginebra Gin Kings in PBA Finals
• Troy Rosario plays through pain in PBA Finals opener: 'Kailangan nang tiisin'
• Pogoy tells Oftana, Nambatac pre-Game 1 of PBA Finals: ‘Bawal tayong magka-bad game’
• Chot Reyes turns bad day in golf into hot-shooting night for TNT in Game 1 win
• TNT unloads 3-point bombs to gain headstart over Ginebra in Finals | PBA Highlights
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson stellar in TNT's Game 1 victory against Ginebra | PBA Highlights

Game 2 | Sunday | March 16 | SM Mall of Asia Arena | Ginebra def. TNT, 71-70

• Ginebra finds groove in Game 2 against TNT, evens PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals series
• Brownlee still not satisfied despite Ginebra's Game 2 win: 'We've just got to stay hungry'
• RHJ wants to improve, grow from Game 2 blunders: 'I'm not afraid to see where I messed up'
• Gin Kings avert meltdown for Game 2 triumph over Tropang Giga | PBA Highlights
• Justin Brownlee powers Ginebra to Game 2 victory over TNT | PBA Highlights
• Thompson posts near triple-double numbers anew for Ginebra in Game 2 | PBA Highlights

Game 3 | Wednesday | March 19 | PhilSports Arena | TNT def. Ginebra, 87-85 | TNT leads series, 2-1

• TNT nips Ginebra in Game 3 to reclaim control of PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals 
• Justin Brownlee dislocates thumb in third quarter of Ginebra's Game 3 setback to TNT 
• Gins deputy Del Rosario hopes for best after Brownlee sustains injury: ‘Warrior naman 'to’ 
• Nambatac steps up for TNT: 'Importante 'yong decision-making ko lalo't wala si Kuya Jayson' 
• RJ Abarrientos hopes injured Justin Brownlee OK for Game 4 but prepares for worst 
• Chot reminds Tropa to be at their best to beat a sudden Brownlee-less Ginebra in Game 3 
• Justin Brownlee ‘doubtful’ for Game 4 of PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, says Tim Cone 
• RHJ thrilled as a loved one comes over to watch him play in PBA for 1st time in Game 4 
• Rosario sees positives in Gins' response in Game 3 after JB's exit: 'Nakita naming kaya' 
• Our Snaps: Ginebra gets even with TNT, pockets Game 2 of PBA Finals
• Ginebra steals Game 2 from TNT to even PBA Finals series | OS Quick Run
• TNT rebounds vs Ginebra, retakes Finals series edge in Game 3 | PBA Highlights 
• Rey Nambatac shows sting in TNT's Game 3 pipping of Ginebra | PBA Highlights 
• RHJ, Oftana regain form in Game 3 victory of Tropang Giga | PBA Highlights 
• Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario backstop Justin Brownlee in Game 3 | PBA Highlights 
• TNT hangs tough in clutch to lead Gins anew in Game 3 of Finals series | Fantastic Finish 

Game 4 | Friday | March 21 | Ynares Center, Antipolo | Ginebra def. TNT, 95-78 | Series tied, 2-2

• Justin Brownlee bucks thumb injury, sees action in Game 4 of PBA Finals
• Justin Brownlee returns to help Ginebra even PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals series vs TNT
• 'Warrior' Justin Brownlee plays through pain, lifts Ginebra to Game 4 equalizer over TNT
• Malonzo, Gin Kings rally behind injured Brownlee: 'Just anything we can do to help him'
• Ginebra retaliates vs TNT as Brownlee plays despite injury in Game 4 | PBA Highlights
• Injured Justin Brownlee goes warrior mode as he powers Gins to Game 4 win | PBA Highlights
• Jamie Malonzo shows inspired play for Ginebra in Game 4 of Finals | PBA Highlights
• Sobrang Bisaya: TNT players speak on how sharing same language helps on-court chemistry
• Cone describes Brownlee's injury, amazed the import got to play in Game 4

Game 5 | Sunday | March 23 | Smart Araneta Coliseum | Ginebra def. TNT, 73-66. Ginebra leads series, 3-2  

• Ginebra moves on cusp of PBA Commissioner's Cup crown with Game 5 win over TNT
• Cone tips hat off to Thompson after Gins' Game 5 win: ‘He just inspired the whole team’
• Rey Nambatac reflects on TNT's lapses in Game 5 loss: 'Ang bilis bumaliktad ng momentum'
• Gin Kings go back-to-back over Tropang Giga in Game 5, nears title | PBA Highlights
• Scottie Thompson ignites Ginebra's strong finish against TNT in Game 5 | PBA Highlights
• Justin Brownlee continues to inspire awe in Ginebra's Game 5 triumph | PBA Highlights

Game 6 | Wednesday | March 26 | Smart Araneta Coliseum

• 7:30 p.m. LIVE PBA Rush | RPTV | Pilipinas Live 

Game 7 | Friday | March 28 | Smart Araneta Coliseum (If necessary)

• 7:30 p.m. LIVE PBA Rush | RPTV | Pilipinas Live 

[ALSO READ: PBA Finals schedule: Ginebra to challenge TNT again, this time for Commissioner's Cup crown] 

WHERE TO WATCH

• PBA Tickets: SM Tickets (Games 1 & 2) | Ticketnet (Games 3 & 4)
• Free-to-air: RPTV | Free TV Ch. 9, DTT Ch. 18.2,19.1
• Pay TV: PBA Rush | Cignal TV Ch. 260 HD Ch. 90 SD
• Streaming: Pilipinas Live | Mobile: Download via App Store or Google Play | Desktop: PilipinasLive.com

[ALSO READ: PBA Finals tickets | Where to buy, prices, what you should know]

HISTORY

PBA Season 45 | Philippine Cup Finals (2020) | Ginebra def. TNT, 4-1

• Finals MVP: La Tenorio (Ginebra)
• Best Player of the Conference: Stanley Pringle (Ginebra)

PBA Season 47 | Governors' Cup Finals (2023) | TNT def. Ginebra, 4-2

• Finals MVP: Mikey Williams (TNT)
• Best Player of the Conference: Christian Standhardinger (Ginebra)
• Best Import: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (TNT)

PBA Season 49 | Governors' Cup Finals (2024) | TNT def. Ginebra, 4-2

• Finals MVP: Jayson Castro (TNT)
• Best Import: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (TNT)

ROAD TO SEASON 49 COMMISSIONER'S CUP FINALS

TNT Tropang Giga

• Finished as no. 2 seed with 8-4 record
• Earned twice-to-beat advantage

• Beat Eastern in quarterfinals, 109-93

• Defeated Rain or Shine in best-of-seven semifinals, 4-1

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

• Finished as no. 4 seed with 8-4 record

• Beat Meralco in best-of-three quarterfinals, 2-1

• Defeated top seed NorthPort in best-of-seven semifinals, 4-1

STORIES

TNT

• TNT aims to strike first vs Brgy. Ginebra in PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals
• PBA Finals: How Tropang Giga can sustain mastery over Gin Kings
• TNT looks to extend dominance over Ginebra in PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals
• Arvin Tolentino or Calvin Oftana for BPC in PBA Season 49 Comm's Cup?
• TNT coach Chot Reyes expresses confidence in his locals ahead of PBA Finals vs Ginebra
• Chot Reyes admits Ginebra’s Rosario, Malonzo will make job difficult for TNT in PBA Finals 
• PBA Finals a preview of TNT life after Jayson Castro? Calvin Oftana doesn’t think so 
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson plans to break Ramadan fast as needed for PBA Finals vs Ginebra 
• Calvin Oftana is PBA Player of the Week after stepping up to power TNT to Commissioner's Cup Finals 
• Rey Nambatac turns pressure into motivation as TNT heads to PBA Finals sans Jayson Castro 
• Chot admits Castro's leadership, maturity will be missed in TNT's Finals rematch vs Ginebra 

GINEBRA

• Ginebra guns for strong start against TNT as PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals unfurls
• PBA Finals: What Ginebra needs to do to beat TNT
• Ginebra eyes redemption vs TNT in latest Finals clash in PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup
• Ginebra’s defensive lynchpin Stephen Holt ready to take on job of guarding Calvin Oftana 
• Cone says PBA fans lucky to witness Brownlee-RHJ rivalry: 'Just two special players' 
• Justin Brownlee hopes to flip the script on RHJ in latest Ginebra-TNT PBA Finals clash 
• Ginebra’s depth will be its biggest advantage vs TNT in PBA Finals, says coach Tim Cone 
• RJ Abarrientos eager to take revenge as Ginebra meets TNT in PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals 
• From bench to court, Malonzo 'feels good to be back' in Ginebra's Finals rematch vs TNT 

(With reports from Jan Ballesteros, One Sports Digital)