The lead change hands several times early in the game, Abet Gutierrez sank the last basket to end the first quarter at 25–19 for Tanduay, a 10–0 blast by Ginebra in the second period levelled the count for the first time at 37-all but Freddie Hubalde teamed up with Ely Capacio as the Rhum Makers close out the first 24 minutes of play with an 11-point lead, 53–42.
Ginebra's Terry Saldaña was unstoppable in the third quarter and was able to drew Ramon Fernandez' third foul with 6:06 left, Ginebra regain the lead at 58–57, rookie Dondon Ampalayo and Francis Arnaiz kept up the barrage of baskets as Tanduay went scoreless for four minutes, the quarter ended with Ginebra enjoying an eight-point lead, 70–62, as the Rhum Makers scored a record-low 9 points in the third quarter. Tanduay came back in the fourth period and grabbed the lead for the last time at 85–83, Chito Loyzaga, Dondon Ampalayo and Francis Arnaiz combined for a 7–1 finishing run by Ginebra, Ampalayo scored inside the paint to push the Gins ahead from an 86-all deadlock, Francis Arnaiz' clutch jumper with four seconds remaining on their shotclock, sealed the outcome and a four-point victory.
JB Yango scored his career-best 40 points for Tanduay while Francis Arnaiz fired 33 points for Ginebra as both teams played their hearts out in an exciting overtime game. Tanduay was ahead by five, 56–51 at halftime, but late in the third period, there was a brief scuffle among over-involved partisan fans ensued and a maze of confusion in which Terry Saldaña picked up the ball and hurried downcourt for a go-ahead basket as the Tanduay bench were up on their feet, the quarter ended in favor of Ginebra, 84–79.
The Rhum Makers regain the upper hand in the fourth quarter at 92–91 with seven minutes remaining and with the score reads 98–95 for Tanduay, Robert Jaworski unloaded his third triple for the night to tie the count at 98-all, two big baskets by Freddie Hubalde pushed the Rhum Makers to a four-point edge, 102–98. Francis Arnaiz took over the scoring chores for Ginebra after Jaworski fouled out with still 2:35 remaining, Arnaiz' basket tied the game at 106-all and forced overtime. In the extension period, Tanduay was up, 115–113, when Ginebra blew an opportunity to equalized on Dante Gonzalgo's missed shot with 43 seconds left, Onchie Dela Cruz made it a three-point lead for the Rhum Makers on a split free throw, the Ginebras call for timeout and on the next play, Arnaiz missed two attempts at the basket, Padim Israel delivered the insurance free throws for Tanduay with five seconds left.
Tanduay took control of the ballgame in the second quarter and opened up a 15-point lead at 33–18 in a low-scoring contest. The Rhum Makers were ahead at 71–56 in the fourth period. The Ginebras made a last-ditch rally and close the gap to within three, 74–77, on Chito Loyzaga's triple, Padim Israel split his free throws off a foul from Dondon Ampalayo with seven seconds remaining to give Tanduay a four-point cushion, 78–74, the Gins called for timeout and Francis Arnaiz missed a long, triple attempt and he fouled Hubalde with two seconds left.
Ginebra led by 11 points twice, the last at 43–32. The Rhum Makers close in to within 46–51 at halftime, a quick five points by Ginebra early in the third period brought back the margin to 10 points, 56–46. Tanduay began tightening up on their defense and were only down by a point, 69–70, entering the final quarter.
Ramon Fernandez set up Victor Sanchez for a basket to put the Rhum Makers ahead, 77–76, another pass by Fernandez, this time on Ely Capacio, who completed a three-point play, gave the Rhum Makers a four-point edge at 80–76. Tanduay was up 91–85 on Fernandez' jumper with 1:33 remaining, but Ginebra playing coach Robert Jaworski wouldn't give up on the fight and scored five of the Gins' seven straight points, including a brilliant three-point play off Freddie Hubalde that turned the game around as Ginebra grabbed the upper hand at 92–91, a timeout was called by Tanduay and on the inbound play in the last 18 seconds, Jaworski almost completed a steal but Freddie Hubalde recovered the ball and took a court-to-court drive to draw a foul from Jaworski with six seconds left, Hubalde converted his two free throws to give the Rhum Makers a 93–92 lead with time down to six seconds. On the final play after a Ginebra timeout, Jaworski went straight to the hoop and muffed a hurried drive that didn't hit the rim, JB Yango hold on to the ball as the buzzer sounded.[1]
Formerly the Gilbey's Gin, St. George Whiskies, Gilbey's Gin Gimlets, Gilbey's Gin Tonics, Ginebra San Miguel, Añejo Rum 65ers, Tondeña 65 Rum Masters, Gordon's Gin Boars and Barangay Ginebra Kings
