MANILA, Philippines — Ang 2-0 lead ang kapwa pipiliting maitayo ng Barangay Ginebra at nagdedepensang TNT Tropang Giga sa Season 49 PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven semifinal series.
Sasagupain ng Gin Kings ang San Miguel Beermen ngayong alas-7:30 ng gabi matapos ang upakan ng Tropang Giga at Rain or Shine Elasto Painters sa alas-5 ng hapon sa Game Two sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nilasing ng Ginebra ang San Miguel sa Game One, 122-105, kung saan bumanat si import Justin Brownlee ng 33 points tampok ang isinalpak na limang four-point shots at tatlong triples.
“I’m sure they’re gonna be ready to beat us in Game Two. I mean, that’s just the way when two really good teams battle each other. No one dominates for any length of time,” ani Gin Kings’ coach Tim Cone sa Beermen.
Tumapos naman si eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo na may 16 points, 16 boards at 7 assists para sa SMB.
“June Mar is not gonna be guarded by just one guy. It’s a whole team... truly a team effort,” ani Cone. “Good news was, they weren’t hitting their shots like they always do and so we took advantage of that a little bit, defensively.”
Hangad naman ng TNT na maduplika ang kanilang 90-81 panalo sa Rain or Shine sa Game One.
“The only way we can win this series is through our defense. They’re the No. 2 team in scoring, No. 1 in field goal and fastbreak points and we’re No. 1 in defensive stops. So for us to win, we have to limit their production,” wika ni Tropang Giga mentor Chot Reyes.
Determinado namang bumawi ang Elasto Painters para makatabla sa serye.
“I still feel good,” sabi ni Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao sa una nilang pagtutuos ng TNT sa season-opening conference.