Games for Throne begin: Title-starved Kings, first-timer Bolts kick off title duel

MANILA, Philippines - There’s no dynasty to speak of, only destiny.

There’s no crown or record to defend or improve for one finalist hoping to end a long title slump and the other seeking a breakthrough.

It all boils down to an expected long grind between Meralco and Barangay Ginebra and their tireless fans.

The Bolts and the Kings, both raring to go all the way to the top at season’s end after upending two fancied rivals in the Final Four, begin their PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven title playoff at 7 tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coaches and players of both sides expect a stirring duel.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone, for one, said it’s not fairly accurate to brand Meralco a finals first-timer with its multi-titled coach Norman Black and highly competitive players led by Jimmy Alapag and Jared Dillinger.

Cone said the presence of Black, Alapag and assistant coach Luigi Trillo in the Meralco side provides the Bolts a significant edge in experience and knowledge.

“(They’re) not a first-timer. Norman Black is not a first-timer. It’s all about the leadership over there,” said Cone.

“The organization may be new to the finals but he’s been there multiple times, Luigi Trillo is over there which is really a thorn on my side because he knows me well. He knows what I like to do and I had a lot of trouble with him when he took over Alaska. So I don’t see them as a novice group that everybody else does,” Cone pointed out.

The two-time grand slam-winning PBA coach said the way the Bolts dismantled the top seeded TNT KaTropa Texters underscored their strength and prowess.

But a virtual home-court advantage is surely on Ginebra’s side. As early as yesterday, only SRO tickets were left available for Games One and Two. Majority of those trooping to the Big Dome are likely those to root for Ginebra, which has commanded a huge following through the years.

Meralco coach Norman Black, however, downplayed their rivals’ virtual sixth man, saying they won’t pose a problem.

“The crowd will always be there. But the crowd doesn’t play on the floor. I’m concerned on the team. It’s important to prepare for their team,” said Black.

Neither is Black concerned with the odds stacked against them. “We play on court, not on paper. We’ll just see how it goes,” he said.

“Nine-nine percent in media and among the fans assume it’s gonna be Ginebra. But we’re going to battle,” said Dillinger.

“It’s going to be an exciting series, a fast-paced battle between two hungry teams,” said Meralco forward Cliff Hodge.

Meralco is gunning for a first championship in franchise history but Ginebra, which upended last year’s champion San Miguel Beer in sudden death, appears to be the hungrier, having been without a crown since the team’s last title run in the 2008 Fiesta Conference with import Chris Alexander.

In the twilight of his playing career, Ginebra star Mark Caguioa said he aches to win a championship for their adoring fans.

“For me, it’s all for the fans now. The last time we’re here (in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup finals), we lost. Hopefully, we pull through now,” said Caguioa.

“It’s been a long process for us to be here. We know they’re going to be tough, but we’ll battle with a goal of winning it all,” said Japeth Aguilar.

“Getting here is a feat in itself. But we want to go all-out to prove that our semis win (against titlist San Miguel Beer) was no fluke,” said Sol Mercado.

The series also features exciting side battles for the Best Import award between Allen Durham and Justin Brownlee and the Rookie of the Year honors between Scottie Thompson and Chris Newsome.

But each player said they’re more concerned to help their team to be the last standing at season’s end.

 having been without a crown since the team’s last title run in the 2008 Fiesta Conference with import Chris Alexander.

In the twilight of his playing career, Ginebra star Mark Caguioa said he aches to win a championship for their adoring fans.

“For me, it’s all for the fans now. The last time we’re here (in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup finals), we lost. Hopefully, we pull through now,” said Caguioa.

“It’s been a long process for us to be here. We know they’re going to be tough, but we’ll battle with a goal of winning it all,” said Japeth Aguilar.

“Getting here is a feat in itself. But we want to go all-out to prove that our semis win (against titlist San Miguel Beer) was no fluke,” said Sol Mercado.

The series also features exciting side battles for the Best Import award between Allen Durham and Justin Brownlee and the Rookie of the Year honors between Scottie Thompson and Chris Newsome.

But each player said they’re more concerned to help their team to be the last standing at season’s end.