IT’S DO OR DIE FOR GINEBRA, MERALCO IN GAME 7 OF PBA FINALS

The series is down to the final Game 7, yet nobody gave a thought that Meralco Bolts could reach this far, especially with the kind of talent and skills that Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings have paraded throughout the season-ending conference PBA Governor’s Cup.

Yet, Meralco extended the grueling series despite the loud cheers and jeers of the huge Ginebra fanbase, using its resiliency and hardwork at both ends of the floor.

And if the Bolts will play the same hardcourt savvy they had displayed in Game 6, then no question they’ll pull off a stunning victory that would make the hearts of largely pro-Ginebra crowd bleeds.

Otherwise, the Gin Kings will be celebrating its back-to-back Governor’s Cup title, to attest its 4-2 win last year over Meralco.

Games 1 and 2 was won by Ginebra 102-87 and 86-76 respectively, Meralco rebounded and won the next two games 94-81 and 85-83.

The Gin Kings moved a win away after winning Game 5, 85-74 that was attended by 36,445 fans in Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Meralco sent the series to the deciding Game 7 following a 98-91 in in Game 6 this time, breaking the previous attendance of 52,612 in the 2014 season opening, which pitted Ginebra vs. Talk ‘N Text KaTropa with a smashing 53,642 last Wednesday.

With a capacity crowd expected to watch the do-or-die game, PBA had decided to stay at the 55,000 capacity Philippine Arena tonight.

The imports, Allen Durham of Meralco, and the conference’s best import awardee and Justine Brownlee of Ginebra will play a major role in the outcome of the game.

However, it will be the contributions of the local players that would determine the winner of this classic clash.

Ginebra will still be parading a tall line-up that is made up of 7’ Gregg Slaughter, 6’9” Japeth Aguilar, 6’7” Joe Devance and 6’6” Kevin Ferrer dwarfed the Bolts that only relied mainly on the Reynell Hugnatan, Cliff Hodge and Jared Dillinger, who all stood at 6’4” to battle the boards.

But despite their handicap, Meralco found a way to neutralize the size and heft of Ginebra using sheer determination and a lot of heart.

The 39-year-old Hugnatan, who is the most senior in the team and the only player who has four championship experience under his belt, has stepped up huge since Game 3, turning back the hands of time to deliver what was needed for the Bolts to win.