Games on Friday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5pm – TNT vs Rain or Shine (Semifinals Game 2)*
7:30 pm – Ginebra vs San Miguel (Semifinal Game 2)*
*TNT and Ginebra lead the best-of-seven series, 1-0
IF DRAWING blood begins against a The tough enemy was tough, making it twice as tough in a row.
That’s why defending champion TNT and Barangay Ginebra are not resting easy as they head into Game 2 of their respective PBA Governors’ Cup semi-finals on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tropang Giga is looking for 2-nil after its first decision of 90-81 and created more distance from Rain or Shine in the race to run to four at 5 pm while the Gin Kings shoot follow-up in their 122 Game -105 1. romp against San Miguel Beer (SMB) at 7:30 pm
TNT import Rondae Hollis Jefferson (RHJ) said it was important for the soldiers to maintain the same mentality against Aaron Fuller and the small ROS guns that lifted them to victory in the curtain raiser on Wednesday.
“Do it as a team, do it together, return all the games, all the goods to your brothers. I think we’ll be fine,” said RHJ, who had a double assist to lead Tropang Giga’s first strike.
Coach Chot Reyes tasked Tropang Giga with maintaining their defensive posture against ROS’ offensive weapons.
“In order to win, we must reduce their production. And as Rondae (Hollis Jefferson) said, everyone who steps in,” said Mr. Reyes. “It really starts with that defensive mentality.”
Elasto Painters teammate Yeng Guiao is in no mood to panic, though, as he feels his charges are ready for a long fight.
Gin Kings advisor Tim Cone admitted his biggest concern is how to keep Justin Brownlee and Co. they were driven after receiving payment from SMB for their 49 points back in the elims.
“Now the question is: Can we continue to motivate ourselves in Game 2 because we did it (revenge) and we felt good about ourselves. But can we turn around and follow them because you know them (SMB), they will come back and use all that talent and experience they have to play a really good game in Game 2,” said Mr. Cone.
“It’s just the way the series is. Many times pingpongs go back and forth because it is difficult to support game after game against a team that plays as well as they do,” he added. – Olmin Leyba