BARANGAY Ginebra looks to seize the series lead against Rain or Shine (RO) as Game 3 of their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals is set on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Elasto Painters took the series opener, 115-111, but the Gin Kings struck back by taking Game 2, 109-101.
Game 3 is set at 7:30 p.m.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone is well aware of ROS’ ability to bounce back. In fact, the Elasto Painters staged a strong fourth-quarter comeback, whittling a once imposing 22-point lead by the Gin Kings to just four.
Fortunately, the crowd favorites proved steadier down the stretch as they managed to grab Game 2.
“It was really Rain or Shine’s style,” Cone said after Friday’s win. “They kept the pace up, wore us down and gave themselves a chance to win in the fourth, and we played right into it.”
“They come at you in waves,” he added. “You try to rest guys so they’re fresh in the fourth. But it’s hard. You end up overplaying them and just hope there’s enough energy left to hold them at bay.”
Three-time Best Import Justin Brownlee and leading Best Player of the Conference candidate RJ Abarrientos led Ginebra’s Game 2 charge.
Brownlee recorded a near triple-double of 31 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, while Abarrientos had 25.
The Ginebra dynamic duo accounted for eight of Ginebra’s 13 threes.
But knowing Cone, he’s bot the type of person who dwells on past victories, aware that the series requires four wins.
Meanwhile, TNT is expected to parade a new import who will lead the team in its scheduled 5:15 p.m. match against Meralco in their own semifinal tussle.
The Tropang 5G lost Best Import candidate Bol Manute Bol to what’s suspected to be a partially torn left Achilles, which he sustained late in the first quarter of Game 2.
TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa said after losing Game 2, that they are eyeing new import as possible replacement of Bol.
TNT took Game 1, 94-89, before Meralco took Game 2, 87-76.