Korona kukunin ng Tropang Giga
MANILA, Philippines — Hawak na ng TNT Tropang GIga ang pagkakataong sibakin ang nagdedepensang Barangay Ginebra at angkinin ang kampeonato.
“You have to understand that coming in here, we have nothing to lose. These guys are just playing. And if we’re given an opportunity to grab it and then beat them, we will,” ani interim coach Jojo Lastimosa matapos ang 104-95 paggupo ng Tropang Giga sa Gin Kings sa Game Five ng 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals noong Miyerkules.
Bitbit ang 3-2 lead, susubukan ng TNT na tuluyan nang alisan ng korona ang Ginebra sa Game Six ngayong alas-5:45 ng hapon sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nauna nang tinalo ng Tropang Giga ang Gin Kings sa Game Four, 116-104, tampok ang isinalpak na PBA Finals record na 21 three-point shots.
“Even if we’re up 3-2, we’re not the favorites. And we know how hard it takes to win over them,” wika ni Lastimosa sa ‘never-say-die’ team ni coach Tim Cone.
Sa Game Five ay sinamantala ng TNT ang nangyaring food poisoning kay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee na idiniretso sa ospital sa third period.
Inaasahan ni Lastimosa na maglalaro si Brownlee para sagipin ang Gin Kings.
“He’s also a warrior so we’re counting everyone to be present on Friday,” wika ni 10-time PBA champion player kay Brownlee.
Humakot si PBA Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ng triple-double na 32 points, 16 rebounds at 10 assists para banderahan ang Tropang Giga sa panalo sa Game Five.
Tumapos naman si Brownlee na may 14 markers.
“Now it’s twice to beat. So we’re gonna go out and hopefully Justin will be better after being in the hospital, we’ll see,” ani Cone.
“If we can get him back next game, that will help a lot,” dagdag naman ni Best Player of the Conference Christian Standhardinger na naglista ng 29 points, 14 rebounds at 4 assists para sa Ginebra.
- Latest
