TNT coach Chot Reyes is careful to play his cards right halfway through the Big Dance.
The right thumb injury suffered by Ginebra star import Justin Brownlee can make or break Reyes and his charges’ title hopes.
“Exactly. We don’t know (if Brownlee will play) but even without him, nakita ninyo naman how strong, how tight that team is,” Reyes said. “So, without Justin, somebody else is going to step up and again, they’re going to rely on their defense.
“Their ability to defend us, to generate stops for themselves. This is not over by any means. We have to make sure that we’re ready,” he added.
With Brownlee a doubtful starter, the Tropang Giga seek a commanding 3-1 series lead when they take on the Kings tonight in Game 4 of their best-of-7 finals duel for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown before an expected SRO crowd at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The game is set at 7:30, with TNT determined to do an encore to an 87-85 victory in Game 3 last Wednesday night that gave the Tropang Giga a 2-1 edge in the race-to-4 title showdown.
Brownlee left the third tiff for good at the 6:42 mark of the third canto after a loose ball scramble with TNT forward Calvin Oftana.
The Ginebra camp said Brownlee is doubtful for Game 4—something that gnaws at Reyes.
“It took our very best (to win Game 3). We actually talked about it when Justin (Brownlee) went out and I told the players we’re going to see the best Ginebra team here,” Reyes said. “Even without Justin, we have to be at our best.
“I just reminded the players how strong and how deep that team is and not to let our guards down even with Brownlee out of the game.”
Two-time best import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, Glenn Khobuntin, Kim Aurin, JP Erram, and Kelly Williams will be relied upon by the Tropang Giga.
Ginebra rookie playmaker RJ Abarrientos, who committed two costly turnovers late the last time out, said Kings tactician Tim Cone took them to task for allowing TNT to get four offensive rebounds that led to the go-ahead left corner three-pointer by Nambatac.
“Iyong ini-open niya (Cone) sa amin iyong apat na offensive rebounds doon sa last shot ni Nambatac. Iyon ang naging crucial,” Abarrientos said. “Hindi namin makuha iyong rebound, hindi namin malapitan kung saan iyong talbog ng bola.
“Actually, before iyon maraming open 3s, iyong kay Rey ang pinaka-last na hawak and nakuha niya iyong last na tira.”
For Reyes, they simply have to pounce on the opportunity if and when Brownlee sits out the pivotal clash.
“They’re very disciplined. Coach Tim really prides himself in his ability to have transition defense, to defend transition,” he said. “Kaya kailangan maka-score kami doon. I thought that was one of the factors in Game 4.”
On the other side of the bench, Cone, who will lean on former MVP Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt, Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, and Abarrientos, should make sure his wards learn from the lessons in the third tussle to heart—like wanting it more—with or without Brownlee.
