In a heart-stopping finish that lived up to their legendary "Never Say Die" mantra, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings snatched a miraculous 99-98 overtime victory against the Converge FiberXers on Sunday night, December 28, 2025. The thrilling quarter-finals knockout game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum propelled Ginebra into the semifinals of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
A Buzzer-Beater for the Ages
The game's defining moment came from an unlikely hero. With the clock expiring in overtime, Stephon Holt launched a three-point bomb that found the bottom of the net as the buzzer sounded, completing an incredible comeback and sending the Ginebra faithful into a frenzy. The clutch shot capped off a rollercoaster game where Ginebra faced elimination multiple times.
Even the winning coach was in disbelief. "It's miraculous to me," said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone in a statement published on the league's official website, www.pba.ph. He admitted that his team had stared defeat in the face on several occasions during regulation, testing the very spirit that defines the franchise.
The Never-Say-Die Spirit Tested
Cone pointed to the resilient character instilled in the team by legendary figure Robert Jaworski. That spirit was needed more than ever in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter. Converge seemed to have sealed the win, holding an 86-83 lead with only nine seconds left in regulation.
The situation worsened for Ginebra when star guard Scottie Thompson fouled out, forcing Coach Cone to insert Jeremiah Gray as a substitute. In a stunning twist, Gray drew a foul from Converge's Alec Stockton while attempting a three-pointer. With ice in his veins, Gray calmly sank all three free throws to tie the game at 86-86, forcing the extra period.
The adversity continued in overtime. Converge built a seemingly comfortable 95-89 lead with just 1:39 remaining, thanks to a key shot from Gomez de Liaño. Yet, the Gin Kings mounted one final, desperate push, clawing their way back to set the stage for Holt's game-winning heroics.
Road to the Semifinals
The dramatic victory books Ginebra a ticket to a semifinals series against the defending champions, the San Miguel Beermen. Reflecting on the tough battle, Coach Cone praised both teams. "It has been a tough road for us from the very start, but our guys kept battling. That team, Converge, played with so much heart tonight," he added.
Holt, whose buzzer-beater made him the hero of the night, also credited the team's enduring culture. "Credit to Converge they showed a lot of resilience, but the Ginebra 'NSD' spirit continues on," he said.
Final Scores:
- Ginebra (99) – Abarrientos 20, David 13, Thompson 13, Rosario 12, J. Aguilar 10, Holt 9, Gray 9, Torres 8, Cu 4, Estil 1.
- Converge (98) – Gomez de Liano 25, Concepcion 18, Arana 15, Baltazar 13, Caralipio 11, Stockton 8, Winston 6, Racal 2.
