GAMES TODAY
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5 p.m. – Ginebra vs. SMB
7:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs. TNT
AFTER the initial and explosive opening salvos were fired last Wednesday night, the onus of rebounding from disappointing defeats and avoiding big series hopes falls on San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine.
That is, if Ginebra and TNT will allow them.
Both seeking commanding leads, the Kings and the grand slam-seeking Tropang 5G try to score repeats over their foes tonight in the semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.
Action returns to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, where the Kings square off with the Beermen in the curtain-raiser at 5 p.m., motivated to do an encore to a thrilling 73-71 triumph in Game 1.
Ditto with the Tropang 5G, who subdued the Elasto Painters 98-91 also in the opening tiff of their series.
SMB will go into battle with reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo bothered by a right calf injury but is likely good to go. That means the Beermen must draw big games from the likes of CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Don Trollano, Juami Tiongson, Jericho Cruz, Mo Tautuaa, and Rodney Brondial.
For former MVP Scottie Thompson, Ginebra is ready for an expected Beermen comeback in the second match.
“We know the playoffs are very tough, but iyon kung ano lang talaga ang kaya namin, ibibigay namin iyong best but it’s part of the game. It’s playoff time, so the physicality is there. We have to battle through it. We have to be tough every single possession,” Thompson said. “I think from the start of the ballgame, we have to be mindful especially on defensive end.
“So, I think iyong defense namin anng dahilan kung bakit naka-stay sa game.”
Thompson will combine with Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, RJ Abarrientos, Jamie Malonzo, and Troy Rosario.
“One of our main discussions in practice was to make sure we keep them off the offensive glass and then when they started small, obviously we had the advantage in size,” TNT tactician Chot Reyes said. “So. that’s what we talked about in the timeouts, in the huddles, that if they continue to play small then we have to make sure to dominate the boards.
“Ganoon lang naman ang basketball, ‘di ba? There’s a give-and-take. You make your decisions. As coaches we take advantage of what the situation presents, when the situation presents itself.”
Which squad’s adjustment will make the big difference after the combatants have sized up each other should be key tonight.
