TNT and Ginebra’s third duel in as many finals can go down as one of the best—if not the best—series ever, which should help make the pro league’s golden anniversary more exciting.
“If you take a look at it, you know where it is heading to,” league chairman and Tropang Giga team governor Ricky Vargas said yesterday during the Big Dance launch at the Kamay Kainan restaurant in Quezon City.
“Today, the Ginebra team is different and it will be a different team in the finals. But having said that, we will also be a different team in the finals.
“We will also do our best in the finals, and probably because of that, this may be the best finals that will ever happen in the PBA,” he added.
Game 1 of the best-of-7 title battle is set this Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The two teams also clashed in the last Governors’ Cup finals in November last year, with TNT scoring a 4-2 triumph.
The Tropang Giga also dethroned the Kings in the same conference in 2023.
But the biggest difference is TNT will have to make do without veteran playmaker Jayson Castro (knee), who was named finals MVP the last time out.
That makes the Tropang Giga the underdogs, according to Vargas.
“You heard all the discussion. Definitely, we’re coming into this conference as underdogs. Man for man, no Jayson, improved chemistry of Ginebra,” Vargas said. “It’s actually a new team. It will be a big challenge, but it’s a challenge that we will face.”
Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes agreed, saying: “I’ve said this before, I don’t think anyone can fill in the shoes of Jayson. So, we’re just asking all the other players to give a little bit more and try to contribute a little more than what they usually do so that we can all try and make up for Jayson’s loss.”
“So, that’s the best we can do, really, is to hope that the effort of the others is enough to cover for Jayson not being here with us.”
PBA vice chairman and Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua disagreed.
“I think experience-wise, mas may experience sila. Mas mga beterano sila. Si Oftana, kunyari lang bata, matanda na iyan,” he said in jest.
“Experience-wise, pareho. Coaching, it’s nice to watch both of them.”
