MANILA, Philippines – Tim Cone and Barangay Ginebra learned the hard way the last time they fell short of a spot in the PBA finals.
So they pulled out all the stops to avoid suffering the same fate as the Gin Kings closed out San Miguel in Game 6 of their best-of-seven semifinals, 102-99, on Sunday, October 20, to advance to the last dance of the Governors’ Cup.
Cone said Ginebra wanted no part of a do-or-die Game 7 following their heartbreaking semifinal ouster at the hands of Meralco in the Philippine Cup last season.
In that series, the Gin Kings were on the cusp of the finals after seizing a 3-2 lead only to yield Games 6 and 7 to the Bolts, marking the first time Ginebra lost to Meralco in a best-of-seven affair.
“Last time we were in the semis, we led three games to two. We let Game 6 slip away from us and we lost in Game 7 and that team went on to win the championship,” said Cone.
“No doubt that was on our minds coming into this Game 6, we certainly didn’t want to play a Game 7 against a team like San Miguel.”
The prospect of forcing a rubber match looked promising for the Beermen when they raced to a double-digit lead in the first quarter, but the Gin Kings fought back and got the job done in the final frame behind Justin Brownlee.
Brownlee scattered 9 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and also finished with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks as he steered Ginebra to the finals of the Governors’ Cup for the sixth time in the last nine seasons.
Maverick Ahanmisi also played his best game of the series with 25 points, Japeth Aguilar tallied 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Scottie Thompson put up a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds.
“We were like putting all our eggs in one basket and really going for it. We’re just saying no to Game 7,” said Cone, who will get a chance to capture a record-extending 26th title.
Getting to the finals, though, is just the first step.
If the Gin Kings want to recapture Governors’ Cup crown they won four times with Brownlee since 2016, they need to overcome defending champion TNT and reigning Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
With Hollis-Jefferson back to help the flagship franchise of the MVP Group retain its crown, the Tropang Giga have lost just four games this conference, winning 15 of their 19 outings from the elimination round to the semifinals.
Cone said he looks forward to another coaching battle with Chot Reyes as TNT and Ginebra renew its rivalry.
“About coach Chot, he has done a tremendous job of turning that team into a defensive juggernaut, which reflects the personality of his best player,” said Cone.
“He’s formed the team around Rondae’s personality and they’ve become a very good defensive team. So hats off to that and I think that’s something we’re going to have to battle when we play them.”
Game 1 of the best-of-seven finals is on October 27 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. – Rappler.com