In a heart-stopping finish that lived up to their legendary reputation, the Barangay Ginebra Kings snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, edging the Converge FiberXers, 99-98, in overtime to advance to the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals. The pulsating quarterfinal clash ended on Sunday night, December 28, 2025, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with a miraculous Stephen Holt three-pointer as time expired.
A Never-Say-Die Finish for the Ages
The game was a rollercoaster, with Converge repeatedly putting the heavily favored Gin Kings on the ropes. Ginebra's path was made even tougher when star players Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar fouled out of the contest. However, the team's famed 'Never Say Die' spirit surfaced when it mattered most.
With the game tied at 86-86 in regulation, Converge's Alec Stockton committed a costly foul on Jeremiah Gray with only 3.4 seconds left. Gray calmly sank all three free throws to force an extra period, sending the Ginebra-dominated crowd into a frenzy.
Overtime Drama and the Final Shot
Converge stormed ahead in overtime, building a 95-89 lead behind a clutch four-point play from Juan Gomez de Liaño. Just as hope seemed to fade, Ginebra's role players stepped up. RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario hit critical shots to keep the Kings within striking distance, setting the stage for the final act.
With the clock winding down in OT and Ginebra trailing, the ball found its way to Stephen Holt. Despite an off shooting night, the guard created space with a step-back move over Converge defender King Caralipio and launched a triple as the buzzer sounded. The shot ripped through the net, delivering a 99-98 victory and triggering bedlam in the arena.
"It's miraculous to me," said a relieved Ginebra head coach Tim Cone after the game, describing the steal of a win. "We didn't play really well, but we just kept battling and kept fighting."
Road to the Semifinals
The victory was especially sweet as it completed a comeback from a twice-to-beat disadvantage. As the fourth seed, Converge only needed to win once to advance, while fifth-seeded Ginebra had to win two consecutive games. After forcing the rubber match with a 105-85 win, the Kings completed the upset in the most dramatic fashion possible.
This win books Ginebra's ticket to an eighth consecutive semifinals appearance. They are now set for a heavyweight best-of-seven showdown against the top-seeded San Miguel Beermen, starting on January 4.
Holt, who finished with 9 points, credited the team's culture for the win. "Credit to Converge they showed a lot of resilience, but the Ginebra 'NSD' (never say die) spirit continues on," he stated.
Final Scores:
Barangay Ginebra 99 – Abarrientos 20, David 13, Thompson 13, Rosario 12, J. Aguilar 10, Gray 9, Holt 9, Torres 8, Cu 4, Estil 1.
Converge 98 – Gomez de Liaño 25, Concepcion 18, Arana 15, Baltazar 13, Caralipio 11, Stockton 8, Winston 6, Racal 2.
Quarters: 19-21, 39-40, 68-60, 86-86, 99-98 (OT).
