TNT was first to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals as the Tropa took only five games to dispose of Rain or Shine in the semis while Barangay Ginebra needed six to eliminate San Miguel Beer. A one-week break will give both teams time to rest and think of schemes with Game One set at the Ynares Center, Antipolo on Sunday.
Game Two will be on Oct. 30, Game Three on Nov. 1 and Game Four on Nov. 3. If necessary, Game Five will be on Nov. 6, Game Six on Nov. 8 and Game Seven on Nov. 10. Smart Araneta Coliseum will host Games Two to Six then Ynares Center, Antipolo will be the venue for Game Seven.
The Finals match-up is a fans’ dream-come-true. Ginebra is No. 1 in field goal percentage (.479) but TNT is No. 2 in field goal percentage allowed (.420). Ginebra is No. 1 in assists (26) while TNT is No. 1 in assists allowed (17.3). Ginebra is No. 1 in three-point percentage (.372) while TNT is No. 1 in three-point percentage allowed (.269). Ginebra is No. 1 in starters points (84.5) while TNT is No. 2 in starters points allowed (59.1).
TNT is No. 1 in defense (89.9) while Ginebra is No. 3 in offense (106.5). TNT is No. 1 in blocked shots (3.6) while Ginebra is No. 1 in blocked shots allowed (1.8). TNT is No. 1 in perimeter points allowed (34.4) while Ginebra is No. 2 in perimeter points (45.9).
In the semis, 15 TNT players saw action with nine averaging at least 10 minutes and five averaging in double figure points while 14 Ginebra players checked in with nine averaging at least 10 minutes and six averaging in double figure points. Coach Chot Reyes relied on a longer rotation with only three players averaging at least 30 minutes compared to five for Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Opposing imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee play similar positions but they probably won’t go head-to-head unless absolutely necessary. Stephen Holt and Ralph Cu could alternate on RHJ while Glenn Khobuntin and Calvin Oftana could take turns on JB. In the middle, Japeth Aguilar and JP Erram will lock horns. Kelly Williams will come off the bench to relieve Erram. Isaac Go would’ve been Aguilar’s reliever but went down with an injury after seven games in the elims. Joe Devance happened to be in town on vacation, visited Ginebra’s practice and before he knew it, was reactivated after a two-year layoff. JDV will fill in for Go.
The guards are outstanding on both sides. Scottie Thompson and Mav Ahanmisi will be ranged against Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy. Off the bench will be rookie RJ Abarrientos and veteran Jayson Castro. Kim Aurin and Nards Pinto are also expected to play quality minutes.
Although Ginebra is No. 4 in defense for the conference (102.4), it held San Miguel to 97 points in four semifinal wins. TNT continued to stamp its class in defense, allowing only 86.5 points in the semis. Reyes and Cone are masters of the game. They know each other like the palms of their hands with a lot of history as coaching partners and opponents. Adjustments will be key throughout the series and their moves will make the Finals an unpredictable battle.