Kings, Bolts clash for 3-2 lead
Barring the wrath by Typhoon Karen in the metropolis, a Game Five with the intensity of a super howler looms as Barangay Ginebra and Meralco break the 2- 2 standoff in their PBA Governors Cup bestof-seven title playoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
Now engaged in a race-to-twogames battle, the Gin Kings and the Bolts are only expected to figure in a confrontation fiercer and more furious than any of the four previous games in the series.
All four games were great treats to the PBA fans – super thrillers of championship matches that could have gone either way.
Ginebra survived a giant 32-point slide in the final half, riding the tremendous energy provided by old vanguards Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa as the Kings salvaged Game Four, 88-86, to again pull even with the Bolts in the series with two games apiece.
The two teams fight for the pivotal 3-2 series lead at 6:30 p.m. tonight – again if the weather permits.
“We are keeping track of Tropical Storm Karen. Sunday’s game can and will be cancelled in the event the storm intensifies,” the PBA Commissioner’s Office announced in a statement. “Please monitor our website and social media sites for news and updates.”
“I’m not sure what will happen with the weather but we will just stay focused on what we need to do to win Game Five,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
“The series has been very competitive so we expect another tough game with Ginebra. Being that it’s a best- of- three, I’m sure adjustments at this point will be limited, and it’s now all about winning,” Black also said.
Four games into the gut-wrenching series, the battle could now be more mental than physical.
“We go from here,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, wanting to put behind them the previous games which have been a tick-tack affair for the warring ball clubs.
Meralco took Game One at 114109 in overtime and Game Three at 107-103 while Ginebra secured Game Two at 82-79 and Game Four at 88-86.
The Kings hope to break the trend as they try to be the first team to score back-to-back wins and gain the crucial 3-2 lead in the series.
Will Cone give Helterbrand and Caguioa more playing time after their heroic efforts in Game Four?
“Jay and Mark have been chomping at the bit to come out, play and make an impact in the series. When we really needed them ( in Game Four), they stepped up. They had no fear and they’re fun to watch. They’re amazing,” said Cone of their saviors when Game Four looked like to be slipping away from the team.
While Cone unleashed the “Fast and Fury,” Black, meanwhile, opted not to field his most tested playmaker Jimmy Alapag in the fateful second half Friday.
“I didn’t want to risk it. And my attitude is I’m not sure how long the series will go, but I know it won’t end in four games. So I just wanted to take precaution and not use him in the second half,” said Black.
“The only reason I put him in the game in the last play is that I knew they would guard him and he would help space the floor,” Black also said of Alapag who felt tightness on his leg Friday night.
In Game Three, the “Mighty Mouse” fired away four bombs and a total of 18 points.
“If he had pushed himself, he probably could have played. But I’m looking things in the long run, and the last thing we can afford to do is to lose him,” said Black.