Ginebra vs Hotshots unahan sa 3-2
MANILA, Philippines - Bibiyakin ng Barangay Ginebra Kings at Star Hotshots ang kanilang 2-2 pagtatabla sa best-of-seven semifinal series ng 2017 PBA Philippine Cup na tinaguriang ‘Manila Clasico’ ngayong alas-7 ng gabi na gaganapin sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
Sa pamamagitan ng 21 puntos, anim na rebounds, tatlong assists at isang steal ni Jervy Cruz nagwagi ang Gin Kings laban sa Hotshots, 93-86 sa Game Four noong Miyerkules para maibalik sa square-one ang serye.
Nanalo ang Hotshots, 78-74, sa Game One noong nakaraang Huwebes at Game Two, (91-89) noong Sabado, ngunit bumawi ang Ginebra sa Game Three, (73-62) noong Lunes.
Ayon kay dating four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, ang Game 5 ay magiging sukatan sa karakter ng Hotshots kaya kailangan nilang kalmado lamang at hindi magpadala sa emosyon.
“Yung maturity and character na ipinakikita ng team right now, makikita natin sa Game Five. Kasi naka-2-0 kami, tapos yung Ginebra naman naka-2-0 rin. Basta huwag lang magpaapekto sa crowd. Just stay positive lang palagi ang battle cry,” ayon kay Patrimonio, ang team manager ng Hotshots.
Inamin naman ni coach Chito Victolero ang kanyang pagkakamali nang hindi niya nakontrol ang kanyang emosyon sa Game Four kaya nabigyan siya ng technical foul.
“I think it’s my fault and I told that to my players. It starts with me so it’s my fault. We lost this game because of me. We need to stay together and stay positive. Experience-wise, the players already know what they have to do. This conference we’ve experienced a lot of character-building moments and we need to keep building our character during these situations so it’s not easy. It now boils down to a best-of-three and I’m very happy it’s still, 2-2,” sabi ni Victolero.
Sa panig naman ng multi-titled coach Tim Cone, malaking bagay ang pagkapanalo nila sa Game Three at Game Four dahil lumalakas ang kanilang tiwala.
“All we did was just tied the series and made it a best-of-three. I thought our guys showed great resolved. If they can beat us twice in a row, then we showed we can beat them also twice in a row,” ayon kay Cone ang pinaka-most winningest coach ng liga sa kanyang 19 championship titles kabilang na ang dalawang Grandslam. (FCagape)
- Latest
