DO not underestimate the heart of a champion, more so if it is reigning titlist Ginebra.
TNT coach Chot Reyes is bracing the Tropang Giga for a tough duel with the Kings in the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors Cup.
“Papakamatay ka manalo, para makalaban Ginebra,” Reyes said. “We did everything we could to win this game, only to face Ginebra in the next round of the playoffs.”
Reyes spoke after his charges pulled off a 106-101 decision in overtime over NorthPort last Friday that clinched for them the No. 3 seed and a twice-to-beat advantage against Ginebra in the quarterfinals.
The Batang Pier clashed with Phoenix Super LPG last night in a knockout match for the No. 8 slot, with the winner set to battle No. 1 Magnolia.
NLEX, ranked No. 2, will face No. 7 Alaska, while fourth seed Meralco will take on No. 5 San Miguel Beer.
The top four teams after the eliminations were rewarded with a win-once incentive in the quarterfinals set to begin Wednesday.
That edge hardly matters for Reyes, saying he expects the Justin Brownlee-led Kings to give his squad fits.
After Reyes took over at the helm of TNT last year, the Tropang Giga have not lost to Ginebra so far.
TNT beat the Kings twice, including an 84-71 win in the last eight, in last year’s Philippine Cup in Bacolor, Pampanga where it won the crown.
The Tropang Giga also mauled Ginebra 119-92 in their eliminations duel in this season-ending and import-spiced tourney.
Reyes maintained the playoffs are a different animal.
“We’re playing the team with the resident Best Import, so we just have to get ready. We have no choice,” Reyes said. “We have to put this game behind us, and now focus on Ginebra. It’s going to take much, much better defensive effort for us to be able to beat a team like Ginebra.”
