Games on Friday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5 pm – TNT versus rain or shine*
7:30 pm – Ginebra vs Northport*
*TNT, Ginebra Lead Series, 3-1
Unless their respective semi -final opponents do something about it, TNT and Barangay Ginebra are ready for another title setup.
With 3-1 leads, the Tropang Giga and the Gin Kings try to clean up their paths to the latest dance of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday in the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
If it is successful, it would be a rivalry duel for the two, which fought for supremation in the last two editions of the Governors’ Cup with TNT who won both times.
For the Tropang Giga, Game 5 is about striking while the heavy rain or shine (ROS) has a corner after their crucial 93-85 game 4 wins last Wednesday.
For Ginebra, it makes it best of his second chance to reach the best-of-sevent championship after bound by his first attempt at a 4-0 Sweep by Northport two nights earlier, 103-108.
Although the number of series can connect a one-sided match, TNT coach Chot Reyes emphasized the collision with Ros anything but. All games went to the wire so far with the PLDT franchise with an average of 4.67 points and Ros took game 3 by five.
“We talked about it and we know that it will be a very difficult series for us,” said Mr. Reyes prior to their 5 pm clincher bid.
“But as I said, we are very grateful that we are in this position, grateful that we can do this. We have chosen to be and compete in the semi -final and this is part of the deal. “
What makes it more difficult is that the gang of Mr. Reyes under the leadership of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy should start this mission without veteran guard Jayson Castro, who was MVP when they held the Governors Cup Crown last November.
“It’s absolutely not over, there is still Friday (Game 5),” said a challenging Ros’ Yeng Guiao.
When TNT is involved in a tight fight with Ros, it is usually Ginebra in their series with Northport. The Gin Kings took the first three games with an average of 20 markers and just faded in the game 4 against the determined Batang Pier.
“They came out and fought completely from the very beginning of the game,” said Ginebras Tim Cone.
“We just had a hard time. It was like pulling your teeth to have boys holding to really lock in the game and stick to what we have done. It is a kind of natural reaction with 3-0. Although we know it can happen that way, it is not acceptable to us. We should have been better. We will see what we can do on Friday. – – Olmin Leyba