Gin Kings to repeat title feat?

MANILA, Philippines — Import Justine Brownlee and the rest of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings couldn’t help but have this sense of deja vu going into Game Six of their PBA Governors Cup title showdown with the Meralco Bolts at the huge Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan tomorrow.

They clinched the championship in Game Six last year and they have the same efficient crew on top of the multi-titled coach Tim Cone and an even bigger throng of fans to duplicate the storied win.

Brownlee himself delivered the killer trey  in the last 5.5 seconds of Game Six with the count tied at 88, triggering a wild celebration at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We’ll be ready,” said Brownlee after helping Ginebra to an 85-74 victory Sunday that gave them two cracks at closing out the title rematch.

Brownlee and the Gin Kings hope to end it right in the next game at 7 p.m., also at the Philippine Arena. Game Seven, if necessary, will also be in the mammoth Bocaue, Bulacan dome on Friday.

Brownlee said they will do their best to deliver the kill and accomplish their mission of handing Ginebra a first title repeat in franchise history.

An inspiration to  the Kings is a much bigger crowd rocking, rolling and rollicking for the team at the Philippine Arena.

“It’s amazing. I haven’t played in any arena as big as this one and it just looks amazing coming out and see the crowd very excited,” said Brownlee. “It’s truly a blessing to be here and play before the fans.”

“It’s an awesome audience. And we look forward for the next one,” said Greg Slaughter, raving at the record crowd of 36,445 in Game Five.

Cone said they also took advantage of their familiarity with the atmosphere and surrounding in the venue where they had played twice before.