GINEBRA coach Tim Cone could not underscore more the importance of winning the opener of a short series.
Moreso as the Kings are facing the possibility of making do without prized big man Japeth Aguilar, who went down with a calf injury in Ginebra’s 95-86 win over NLEX in Game 1 last Wednesday night.
The Kings seek a commanding lead over the Road Warriors today in Game 2 of their best-of-five semifinals duel in the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 3 p.m. before Magnolia tries to push Meralco on the brink in Game 2 of their semis battle in the nightcap at 6 o’clock.
“Game 1 is absolutely crucial in a short series, whether it’s best-of-three or best-of-five or twice-to-beat. I’d be really happy right now and excited that we got Game 1,” Cone said.
“But it’s kinda tempered because we lost Japeth and we don’t know the status of Japeth yet,” he added.
With Aguilar’s fate hanging in the air, Cone heaved a sigh of relief after the likes of versatile import Justin Brownlee and the locals led by LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, and Arvin Tolentino delivered the goods and gave them a big head start.
“It was really important that at least we got the first game so we kinda have that margin for error playing without Japeth for the rest of the way,” Cone said.
“He went out with a calf injury that he suffered actually originally in our game against Talk ‘N Text. Calf injuries are really difficult.”
Brownlee uncorked 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Tenorio added 19 markers, six boards, and six assists for Ginebra. Thompson had a double-double of 15 and 11, and Tolentino and Standhardinger combined for 21 points for the Kings.
NLEX will pin its hopes on reinforcement Cameron Clark, Kevin Alas, JR Quiñahan, Don Trollano, and Justin Chua.
Avoiding a slow start is foremost among Hotshots tactician Chito Victolero’s concerns in Game 2 after his wards needed to battle back from an early 17-point deficit the last time out.
Magnolia regrouped just in time and blasted the Bolts 94-80.
“We need to address that problem (slow start). Mabuti na lang hindi masyadong lumaki ang lamang. Nagkaroon kami ng aggressiveness, iyon ang key doon, nalagpasan naming ang aggressiveness nila,” Victolero said.
“We have a defensive scheme against (Tony) Bishop. Mahirap talaga, lalong lalo na alam namin na halos lahat sila can explode any given time.”
Mike Harris, Calvin Abueva, Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon, Mark Barroca, and Ian Sangalang are expected to lead the red-hot Magnolia five.
Meralco will bank on Tony Bishop, Allein Maliksi, Raymond Almazan, Cliff Hodge, Chris Newsome, and Chris Banchero.
