Break thru or break free in Game Three
Barangay Ginebra tries to break away with a third straight win while Meralco hopes for a breakthrough in what’s probably the most crucial game in their titular showdown tonight.
The Kings ride the momentum of a fourgame romp from the semifinals as they try to move in the threshold of a title repeat versus an Meralco side hoping to recall the shooting touch to bring back life in their embatlled title bid.
The PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven finale could well be over if the Kings make it three-in-a-row in Game Three at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Game Three is the most crucial game in this series. It’s over if Ginebra wins it,” said Francis Arnaiz, a cage legend with stints with Meralco in the old MICAA days and with Ginebra in his final playing years in the PBA.
At 2-0, Ginebra coach Tim Cone said they can’t be too happy and pleased, insisting the Bolts have still got a lot of fight in them.
“They’re a tough team. They’re mentally tough and very hard to crack. And I think they still have a lot of punches left to throw at us,” said Cone.
The Kings pulled off a dominant 102-87 triumph in Game One but needed a huge closing romp to salvage Game Two, 86-76.
Meralco gunner Jared Dillinger said the exceptional length of Ginebra is proving to be a big advantage for the Kings.
Dillinger said it gives them much trouble, making it tough for the Meralco shooters to make their shots.
“It’s hard to get off threes having long guys guarding me so when you got guys closing out, a guy like Japeth it’s hard to shoot over,” said Dillinger.
“They’re the big boys over there. It’s not like we don’t know that to begin with. It wears down on you especially when they post up on you like Joe (Devance) and (Justin) Brownlee. It’s tough. We’ve got to adjust. We have to figure it out,” Dillinger added.
Allen Durham remained the prolific import that he is in the first two games, but he sorely needed local support.
“Some things need to happen. I mean, aside from AD, no one’s shooting that well. Del (Ranidel de Ocampo), Baser (Amer), (Chris) Newsome and Cliff (Hodge) have gotta make shots. That’s it. We’re not making ours and it’s tough on AD,” said Dillinger.
“We’ve got to make something work. If we don’t win this next game, it’s pretty much over,” Dillinger added.