Bay Area not giving up vs Ginebra

'We’re still alive’

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra has Bay Area in a chokehold but yielding is furthest from the minds of the defiant Dragons.

“We’re still alive,” Bay Area coach Brian Goorjian declared after the Gin Kings moved on the cusp of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title with a pivotal 101-91 victory in Game 5 last Sunday.

Goorjian’s unwavering confidence comes from the Dragons’ belligerent stand in the fifth game despite missing not only efficient import Andrew Nicholson but also top playmaker Glen Yang due to ankle injuries.

And with three extra days to recover, the duo may well be back on board when the Dragons fight for survival in tomorrow’s Game 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“There’s we-lose-and-we’re-out (situation). It got to that point so if there’s any chance, we’ll roll the dice,” said Goorjian. “I’m putting 50-50 (odds) on Nicholson and 75-25 on Glen Yang.”

Game 5 top scorer Hayden Blankley got hurt in the dying seconds but Goorjian expects him to be good to go for the win-or-go-home mission.
Though they fielded a full-bodied roster in the last two matches against the Nicholson-less Dragons, the Gin Kings aren’t exactly injury-free.

Veteran guard LA Tenorio went down with a groin injury and didn’t finish Game 5.
“Hopefully, we can have him (back) fast enough. That we didn’t damage him for the rest of the series,” said Ginebra mentor Tim Cone.

He also shared that big men Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar are battling through ailments.

Standhardinger was hit by food poisoning on the eve of the fifth game and spent the day in the hospital getting IV fluids. Aguilar, for his part,  has been dealing with gastro-related problems.

“This is what happens when you play three games in five days. This is where the injuries happen,” said Cone. “These are the times when your trainers and rehab staff become your MIPs – most important persons – on your team.”