Kings-Tropa rematch sealed

Make way for TNT versus Barangay Ginebra: Round 2.

MANILA, Philippines — With a mouthwatering rematch with the defending champion Tropang Giga as incentive, the Gin Kings handled their end of things and sealed their PBA Governors’ Cup finals advance with a thrilling 102-99 Game 6 clincher over the San Miguel Beermen last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Despite being on the hill with their 121-92 go-ahead romp in Friday’s Game 5, the crowd darlings treated the sixth match like a do-or-die.

And the Gin Kings really had to bleed for this one and survive a wild finish.

Seeing their eight-point lead cut to a single point in the stretch, Ginebra turned to Justin BrownSlee for a clutch triple that made it a more comfortable 102-98 breathing space, 1:47 to go.

The Beermen, proud champions that they are, kept on pressing until the end. June Mar Fajardo made it a 102-99 count with a split and the SMB managed to get not just one but two tries to steal it from the four-point line in the last 11.6 seconds. But to Ginebra’s relief, EJ Anosike and Jericho Cruz missed their potential game-winners as time expired.

And so it’s on for Ginebra’s payback drive against TNT, which reached the finale two nights before after finishing off Rain or Shine in five, 113-95.

According to coach Tim Cone, the clear battle cry was “No to a Game 7.”

“The last time we’re in the semis (Philippine Cup against Meralco), we led 3-2 and we let Game 6 slip away and lost Game 7, and that team went on to win the championship. No doubt that was on our minds coming into this Game 6,” said Cone.

“We certainly didn’t want to play a Game 7 against a team like San Miguel. So we’re just happy we’re back in (the finals), going against my good friend (TNT counterpart) Chot (Reyes) again. There’s always been that rivalry between Ginebra and TNT. So we’re looking forward to mixing it up with them.”