TNT braces for Ginebra rejigging in Game Two
ESCAPING with a hard-earned victory in Game One of their bestof-five Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series last Sunday, the TNT KaTropa look to build on it today in Game Two but are fully aware that the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings would come in with the necessary adjustments.
Scheduled for 7 p. m. at the Mall of Asia Arena, TNT is eyeing another win in follow- up to its 100-94 win in the series opener and push the top- seeded Kings to the brink of elimination while padding its charge to the finals, something it has not done successfully so in the last four PBA conferences.
In Game One, the KaTropa rode the huge shoulders of hulking import Joshua Smith to buck Barangay Ginebra’s signature “never say die” spirit en route to the win.
The 300-pounder Smith was literally a “big difference” in the series opener as he kept the Kings at bay with his solid play in the low block.
Barangay Ginebra kept coming back in the game but Mr. Smith and the rest of TNT had every answer to it.
When the smoke cleared, Mr. Smith stood big with 35 points, on 73% shooting ( 16- of-22), to go along with 13 rebounds.
Rookie RR Pogoy backstopped their import with 17, 10 points of which coming in the first quarter that set the tempo for his team in the game.
Veteran Ranidel De Ocampo added 12 points from his end.
Barangay Ginebra, meanwhile, was paced by import Justin Brownlee with 24 points on top of 14 rebounds and six assists.
LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar each had 15 markers.
But while they are happy to be the first to draw blood in the semifinal series, the KaTropa are not about to let their guard down as they know the Kings are a champion team and are only expected to come back stronger.
“We are looking forward to their adjustments in the second game, particularly on defense,” said TNT coach Nash Racela when asked for his thoughts on today’s game.
He also gave praise to his reinforcement Smith, who he said is a kind of player who can deliver provided he is given time to play.
“If you give him the minutes, he will give you the numbers,” said Mr. Racela of Mr. Smith, who logged in 29 “controlled” minutes in Game One.
And giving the numbers is what Mr. Smith intends to do if allowed by the opponents.
“They brought me here to be a physical presence inside and that’s what I’m doing. I’ll continue to be aggressive as long as I’m not in foul trouble,” said the import, named player of the game last time around.