GINEBRA coach Tim Cone did not say it out loud after Game 4 last Sunday. But clearly, there was frustration, even anger, at the way his charges played.
“It’s a series, we’re tied, now it becomes a best-of-three. We just played badly. We didn’t start the game well, we didn’t defend, we didn’t rebound. It was quite disappointing and in many levels embarrassing, but like I said, it’s a series, so, you know, we’ll get ready for Wednesday,” Cone quipped after the Kings absorbed a 104-116 defeat.
Whether the Kings can bounce back will be known today when the two squads clash anew in the pivotal Game 5 of their best-of-7 duel for the PBA Governor’s Cup crown at the Araneta Coliseum, with the winner moving one win away from annexing the crown.
The game starts at 5:45 p.m., with both teams expected to come out firing and gain a twice-to-beat advantage going into Game 6.
Focus will be on Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, who was clearly outshone by TNT counterpart Rondae Hollis-Jefferson by making 36 points on top of 10 rebounds and five assists. Brownlee paced the Kings with 28 points, five caroms and four dimes.
The series has been a virtual chess match between Cone and TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa, whose charges went 21-for-43 from beyond the arc for an outstanding 48% shooting clip, a finals’ record, and 51.2% percent overall.
The Game 4 victory game the Tropang Giga the much-needed momentum although the continued absence of gunner Roger Pogoy may weigh down their attack, especially if Brownlee and Scottie Thompson come up with the brilliance they displayed in Ginebra’s wins in Games 1 and 3.
Adjustment in various facets of the game will be the key in tonight’s game, with the Kings expected to focus on defense, especially on Hollis-Jefferson, who made Brownlee work hard for his points the last time out.
Hollis-Jefferson, the conference best import, has also proven to be the main factor in TNT’s scorching three-point shooting, providing the much-needed screens to set his teammates free.
“We know that if Rondae is there as a screener and we have the proper spacing and we have shooters in the corner, we’re going to get shots,” said Lastimosa, adding their lack of spacing in Game 3 proved to be their downfall.
Calvin Oftana, veteran Jayson Castro, and back-up guard Kib Montalbo are expected to give Hollis-Jefferson the much-needed help while Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo, and Stanley Pringle are expected to back up Brownlee.
