AFTER a scintillating Game 4 victory, all signs point to defending champion TNT returning to the Big Dance.
Just don’t tell that to Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes.
“The finals are farthest from our minds right now,” Reyes said. “Our only thought is to prepare for the next game–Game 5.”
Whether TNT can get the job done will be known when it takes on a bloodied but unbowed Rain or Shine tonight in Game 5 of their best-of-7 semifinal duel in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The match is set at 7:30 p.m. after Ginebra and San Miguel Beer break a 2-2 standoff in their own semis clash in the curtain-raiser at 5 o’clock.
The Tropang Giga pulled off an 81-79 decision against the Elasto Painters in the fourth game of the race-to-4 series last Wednesday to zoom to a 3-1 edge.
Reigning best import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and veteran playmaker Jason Castro will be counted upon by Reyes to deliver anew.
With their backs against the ropes, Rain or Shine tactician Yeng Guiao is not one to raise the white flag just yet.
“We still feel good about the series. It would be hard to climb back. But we’re getting used to finding ways to win. Yes, we’re down but it could easily have been an even series. That’s our perspective. It’s positive,” Guiao said.
“We’re enjoying the series as we’re learning a lot, mayroon pa kaming puwedeng i-adjust na makakatulong sa amin.”
The Painters will pin their hopes on reinforcement Aaron Fuller, Leonard Santillan, Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac, Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti, and veterans Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood.
“They were firing on all cylinders. We had no answer them. They were hitting shots from the outside,” Kings strategist Tim Cone said after his charges absorbed a disappointing 121-131 loss to the Beermen in Game 4 also last Wednesday night.
“They were getting to the rim, getting the ball to June Mar (Fajardo). We just didn’t have an answer for them tonight. They’re just too good for us tonight.”
Cone will rely on resident import Justin Brownlee, who will team up with former MVP Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, and rookie RJ Abarrientos.
“Sana that thing doesn’t follow anymore,” SMB coach Jorge Gallent said, referring to the protagonists’ alternating victories in the series. “I just hope we change the tide in Friday’s game. Now nga, it’s a best-of-3 na lang so we’ll just think of it na Game 1 iyong Friday.
“In a best-of-three, Game 1 is very important, so I just hope tradition breaks on Friday.”
Aside from Fajardo, winner of eight MVP plums, the Beermen will bank on import EJ Anosike, CJ Perez, Terrence Romeo, Don Trollano, and Jericho Cruz.
Cone’s face turned red after the loss so expect the Kings to unleash their wrath tonight.
