2-0 lead pakay ng Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines — Kung muling magpoposte si Scottie Thompson ng triple-double ay malaki ang tsansa ng nagdedepensang Barangay Ginebra na dalawahan ang TNT Tropang Giga sa 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

Sa 102-90 panalo ng Gin Kings sa Tropang Giga sa Game One noong Linggo ay humakot si Thompson ng 10 points, 13 rebounds at 11 assists sa loob ng 44 minutong paglalaro.

“It seems like every time he gets a triple-double, it’s like a recipe for winning,” ani coach Tim Cone kay Thompson. “And that means the ball is moving, that means the team is hustling, and that’s a good recipe for success.”

Target ng Ginebra na maitayo ang 2-0 lead sa kanilang best-of-seven championship series ng TNT sa Game Two nga­yong alas-5:45 ng hapon sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Credit sa lahat. Tala­gang lahat gustong manalo, and talagang it’s finals. So talagang binibigay na lahat, every player sa amin, lahat. So credit sa lahat,” sabi ni Thompson sa pa­nalo nila sa series opener.

Bukod kay Thompson, muli ring aasahan ng Gin Kings sina import Justin Brownlee, Best Player of the Conference candidate Christian Standhardinger at Jamie Malonzo.

Sina dating NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Mikey Williams, Roger Pogoy, Jayson Castro, Calvin Oftana at Poy Erram naman ang babandera sa Tropang Giga.

Sa kabiguan sa Game One ay naglista si Hollis-Jefferson ng 30 points at 20 rebounds habang nalimitahan sina Pogoy at Castro sa 6 at 4 markers, ayon sa pagkakasunod, mula sa pinagsamang 4-of-19 field goal shooting.

“Those guys, they’ve been there, and they know what needs to be done,” wika ni TNT interim coach Jojo Lastimosa. “And I’m hoping that we can pick it up offensively next game so it can be a better game for us.”