Question of hunger, desire

TNT-Ginebra last dance III

MANILA, Philippines — Asked how much Barangay Ginebra wants to win the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup crown against old tormentor TNT, star guard Scottie Thompson was emphatic in his response.

“Sobrang gutom,” Thompson said yesterday when the Gin Kings and the Tropang Giga faced the press for the traditional pre-finals gab yesterday in Quezon City.

“Siyempre, well-motivated kami coming to the series. Hopefully makuha namin ngayon.”

Though they’re victorious in their two previous duels with Ginebra for the Governors’ Cup diadem, TNT insists its hunger for glory remains strong going to the best-of-seven championship that kicks off Friday.

“Gutom na gutom din syempre. Third finals appearance ko, gutom ako at isa na namang malaking bagay ito para sa career ko, sa family ko at syempre para sa franchise ng TNT,” countered Tropang Giga gunner Calvin Oftana.

“I feel like ‘yung adversities na nangyari sa amin, nawala si Kuya Jayson (Castro) na naging timon ng team namin, nagpalakas sa eagerness namin manalo,” he added.

The protagonists sat on different ends of the table with the coveted trophy in the middle.

TNT was represented by coach Chot Reyes, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Oftana, RR Pogoy, Kim Aurin and Rey Nambatac. Present for Ginebra were coach Tim Cone, Thompson, Maverick Ahanmisi, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar and RJ Abarrientos. Justin Brownlee missed the presser as he’s getting treatment for asthma.

TNT governor and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, Ginebra counterpart and PBA vice chairman Alfrancis Chua and league commissioner Willie Marcial were also on hand and expressed excitement for the series.

Repeat or revenge will be the main theme here.

“We’re coming into this series with a lot more depth than we had in the last time we played them (Season 49 Governors’ Cup) and I think that’s going to be a big factor for us,” said Cone.

He was referring to the return of Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray from injury and the mid-season entry of Troy Rosario. Rosario, however, hasn’t joined practice yet, per Cone, as he’s undergoing rehab for the sprained ankle he sustained in Ginebra’s semifinal closeout of NorthPort.

With their rivals’ added ammo, TNT recognizes the need to dial up their games several notches.

“Sinasabi ng coaches namin, kung ‘yung nilaro namin last conference ay ganon lang din, hindi kami mananalo sa Ginebra,” said Pogoy. “Dapat higitan pa namin para may chance kami manalo ngayon."