DEFENDING champion TNT and Ginebra headed home from the PhilSports Arena in Pasig last Wednesday night armed with crucial headway in their respective playoff battles.
Both the Tropang Giga and the Kings know the battle is far from over, their foes expected to show up with guns blazing in the second match.
“I’m sure they’re gonna be ready to beat us in Game 2. I mean, that’s just the way when two really good teams battle each other,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said, referring to SMB which the Kings mangled 122-105 in their Last Four opener. “No one dominates for any length of time. They dominated us in one game and we half-dominated them tonight.
“At this point, it’s their turn (to win in Game 2). Hopefully, we can do something to prevent that,” he added.
Whether the Kings can frustrate the Beermen will be known today when they clash anew in Game 2 of their best-of-7 semifinals duel in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The tiff is set at 7:30 p.m., with Ginebra raring to gain a 2-0 lead in their race-to-4 showdown.
Ditto with TNT which faces Rain or Shine at 5 o’clock after scoring a 90-81 win in their first collision.
Cone’s ploy of limiting reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo to just 16 points, although he did grab 16 rebounds the last time out, worked wonders.
“June Mar is not gonna be guarded by just one guy. It’s a whole team, truly a team effort,” Cone said. “Good news was, they weren’t hitting their shots like they always do and so we took advantage of that a little bit, defensively.”
Kings resident import Justin Brownlee will team up with former MVP Scottie Thompson, veteran Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, Maverick Ahanmisi, and prized rookie RJ Abarrientos in their bid for back-to-back wins.
The likes of Fajardo, reinforcement EJ Anosike, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross are hard-pressed to show the way for a weary SMB quintet.
“We have to be able to limit Rain or Shine. They’re No. 2 in the league in scoring, No. 1 in field goal percentage, in fast break points, and a lot of offensive stats. On the other hand, we’re No. 1 in the league in a lot of defensive stats,” Tropang Giga tactician Chot Reyes said. “So, it’s going to be a battle of contrasts, and for us to win, we have to limit their production.
“I guess that’s the best way to describe the defense. Like Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) said, just everyone pitching in, but it really starts with that defensive mentality.”
Hollis-Jefferson, the reigning best import, will be counted upon by TNT to deliver along with Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, JP Erram, and veteran Jason Castro with big man Kelly Williams doubtful due to a calf injury.
More production is also needed from Painters import Aaron Fuller and locals Andrei Caracut, Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, Adrian Nocum, Leonard Santillan, and Gian Mamuyac.
For sure, a 2-0 lead is not safe–but it will give TNT and Ginebra more comfortable breathing room.
