Gins, Bolts handa na

MANILA, Philippines — Handang-handa na ang titleholder Barangay Ginebra at challenger Meralco para sa kanilang banggaan sa 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven finale na magsisimula sa Biyernes sa Quezon Convention Center sa Lucena.

Determinado ang Kings na maidepensa ang kanilang korona habang hangad naman ng Bolts na makaganti at makamit ang una nilang titulo.

Nakikita ni PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa ang matinding bakbakan sa pagitan ng Ginebra at Meralco.

“I’m glad to be part of this finale. You can feel the energy. I never felt this before,” sabi ni Narvasa kahapon sa pre-finals pressconference sa Sambokojin Restaurant sa Eastwood City.

Parehong hindi magpapatalo ang Ginebra at Meralco sa kanilang Finals rematch.

“We came up short in the all-Filipino finals against San Miguel. The loss to San Miguel makes us hungry to win this,” wika ni Gin Kings’ coach Tim Cone.

“I’ve been here in the PBA for about 10 years, and you never know when this opportunity comes. The whole experience is great, and you have to make the most of it,” dagdag ni Ginebra forward Joe Devance.

Huhugot naman si Meralco coach Norman Black ng kanilang eksperyensa sa nakaraan nilang Finals stint sa nasabing kompetensya.

“We have experienced to be in the finals last year. The next goal is to win the championship,” wika ni Black.

“The last time around, I felt we’re taking in the moment as first timers in the finals. I thought this time around, it’s gonna be different. We’ve had the whole year to prepare for this. This time around, it’s not just being in the championship, we’re here to win it,” sabi naman ni Bolts’ wingman Chris Newsome.

Magsisilbi ring ‘motivation’para sa Meralco ang pagbibigay ng korona para kay team governor Al Panlilio.

“At the start of the conference, we got together and talked about winning the tourney for Governor Al who’s very much involved with planning and everything in our team,” sabi ni Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo.