GINEBRA is slightly favored against NorthPort but Kings coach Tim Cone insisted his charges have to bring their A-Game when they clash with the Batang Pier in the semifinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“NorthPort beat us in the eliminations,” Cone said, referring to Ginebra’s 116-119 loss in the eliminations last Jan. 8. “They just about beat everybody in the eliminations. We weren’t the only ones. They’ve been playing well. I said it the last time we played them.
“Arvin (Tolentino), obviously, is playing at an MVP level and leading the MVP (race) and (Joshua) Munzon is also playing at an MVP level. Those two guys are really carrying the load over there,” he added.
The Kings open their best-of-7 semis showdown with the Batang Pier on Feb. 26. Wednesday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
TNT will face Rain or Shine in the other race-to-4 series.
The pro league is on a 16-day break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Aside from the deadly duo of Tolentino and Munzon, NorthPort import Kadeem Jack should also prop up the Bonnie Tan-mentored NorthPort quintet.
“Jack just seems to be the perfect complement for them,” Cone said. “He fills out the big man role that they need. It’s s going to be tough.”
But Cone is convinced it will not only be his former player—Tolentino—who will be the key in their Last Four duel.
Take it from Ginebra resident reinforcement Justin Brownlee.
“They’ve been like beating everybody with almost everybody. Arvin, he’s been playing great. I’m glad to see him playing great at NorthPort,” Brownlee said. “They’ve got a lot of guys over there, score, and do a variety of things.”
