BARANGAY Ginebra and TNT renew their rivalry when they collide in Game 1 of the best-of-seven title series in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Game time begins at 7:30 p.m.
Both squads are coming off close-out victories in their respective semifinal series against separate foes.
Ginebra routed Rain or Shine, 118-107, to seal the first finals berth last Sunday, winning their series, 4-2.
TNT, likewise, beat Meralco in Game 6, 97-94, to win their own semifinal series, 4-2, setting up the Finals rematch against the Gin Kings.
Coach Tim Cone admitted that being back in the finals and facing their old nemesis will give them the chance to gain some measure of revenge against the Tropang 5G.
Ginebra has gone 0-3 in its last three Finals face-offs with TNT — the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup and Seasons 47 and 49 Governors’ Cup.
“I think both teams are deserving to be here, but one's going to come out on top. Sometimes, it's not always, you know; it's not fun being the second-place team. So, you know, we're going to both battle for that first place. So, looking forward to Wednesday,” said coach Tim Cone during Monday’s Finals Press conference held at the Novotel in Cubao.
Justin Brownlee, at 37, remains a force to be reckoned with, averaging all-around numbers of 29.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists in their semis series versus ROS.
But he’s got a solid backup in sophomore RJ Abarrientos, who averaged 22 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 42 percent from downtown.
Ginebra’s Finals defeat to TNT in the previous season’s Commissioner’s Cup saw Cone’s squad put to waste a 3-2 lead and drop Game 7 in overtime, 87-83.
But then again, that’s water under the bridge, though lessons from that Finals loss were something they have taken note of.
“We’re taking that (Finals loss) as motivation coming to this series,” said Ginebra's long-time star Scottie Thompson.
“We have many lessons from that loss, and we will bring them into this series, especially on the defensive end,” he added.
The Tropang 5G are looking to extend their championship reign, this time with comebacking import Chris McCullough following the conference-ending injury Bol Bol sustained in the semis.
