TNT and Barangay Ginebra arrange another finals showdown in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup after dispatching their semifinal foes, setting up the fourth title clash between the two rivals in the last eight conferences.

Defending champion TNT punched its ticket back to the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup finals after edging Meralco, 97-94, in a tense Game 6 clincher Sunday night, May 31, at Ynares Center-Antipolo.

The Tropang Giga leaned on a balanced offensive effort led by Calvin Oftana Heading, who finished with 30 points, while import Chris McCullough added 22 markers to seal the series and keep TNT’s title-retention bid alive.

TNT weathered a late Meralco rally, holding firm in the closing seconds to secure the narrow victory and complete the semifinal series.

Earlier in the day, Barangay Ginebra booked its own return to the finals with a 118-107 victory over Rain or Shine, delighting a record crowd of 11,321.

Justin Brownlee powered the Gin Kings with 31 points, while rookie guard RJ Abarrientos delivered a breakout performance with 30. Scottie Thompson contributed 16 points, and Ralph Cu chipped in 11 in the decisive win.

The victory sets up another chapter in one of the league’s budding rivalries, marking the fourth finals meeting between TNT and Ginebra in the last eight conferences.

TNT will be seeking back-to-back titles, while Ginebra aims to reclaim the Commissioner’s Cup crown in what is shaping up to be a highly anticipated championship series.

Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals is set on Wednesday, June 3.