Who Won the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup? Complete Results and Championship Highlights
I still remember the tension in the bubble environment during that unprecedented 2020 PBA Philippine Cup - the first major basketball tournament to be completed in a bio-secure setting amid the global pandemic. As someone who has covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've never witnessed anything quite like the emotional rollercoaster of that championship series between the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the TNT Tropang Giga. The championship victory by the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel wasn't just another title - it represented resilience, adaptation, and ultimately, basketball excellence under the most challenging circumstances imaginable.
The journey to that championship was anything but conventional. Teams spent months in isolation at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga, playing without the electric atmosphere of live crowds that typically defines PBA basketball. What struck me most was how Coach Tim Cone's system evolved during this period. His emphasis on quick ball movement and rapid offensive execution reminded me of something I'd observed in volleyball - that proximity on the court makes the middle blocker the best option to execute a speedy attack intended to out-pace the opposing defenders. Similarly, Ginebra utilized their big men as facilitators in the high post, creating lightning-quick scoring opportunities that left defenders scrambling. Stanley Pringle's performance throughout the series was nothing short of spectacular, averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc.
Game 5 of the finals series, which ultimately decided the championship, showcased why this Ginebra team deserves to be remembered as one of the most resilient in PBA history. Facing a determined TNT squad led by the phenomenal Roger Pogoy, who dropped 32 points in that decisive game, Ginebra demonstrated championship pedigree when it mattered most. The final score of 82-78 doesn't adequately capture the back-and-forth nature of the contest - there were 15 lead changes and 8 ties throughout the game. What impressed me wasn't just the star power of Pringle or Japeth Aguilar's defensive presence, but how role players like Scottie Thompson and LA Tenorio made crucial contributions in the closing minutes. Thompson's rebound numbers were particularly staggering - he grabbed 14 boards despite being one of the smaller players on the court.
From my perspective, what separated Ginebra from other contenders was their ability to maintain offensive fluidity even when their primary options were taken away. They averaged 24.5 assists per game throughout the finals, a testament to their unselfish brand of basketball. This reminded me again of that volleyball principle - when you have players who can make quick decisions in tight spaces, you create advantages that are nearly impossible to defend. TNT certainly had their moments, with Jayson Castro turning back the clock with several explosive drives to the basket, but ultimately, Ginebra's system proved superior over the seven-game series.
The championship-clinching moment came with just 25 seconds remaining in Game 5, when Tenorio hit a difficult floater in the lane to give Ginebra a four-point cushion. I've watched that play dozens of times, and what stands out is how the entire possession embodied Ginebra's offensive philosophy - quick ball movement, player movement without the ball, and trusting the system to create quality looks. This was Ginebra's first All-Filipino championship since 2007, ending a 13-year drought in the conference they had historically dominated. The victory marked Tim Cone's 23rd PBA championship, further cementing his legacy as the winningest coach in league history.
Looking back, I believe this championship will be remembered not just for the basketball excellence displayed, but for what it represented during such a challenging period. The players sacrificed months away from their families, competing in empty arenas while maintaining the intensity and quality that PBA fans expect. The numbers tell part of the story - Ginebra finished the tournament with a 12-4 record, winning their last 6 games consecutively - but they don't capture the emotional weight of this achievement. As someone who has followed Philippine basketball through numerous eras, I can confidently say that the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel earned their place in history through perseverance, adaptability, and pure basketball brilliance under pressure.
