MAKE no mistake about it, Barangay Ginebra knows there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Despite their commanding 2-0 series lead, the Gin Kings look to continue pouncing on staggered Meralco in the resumption of their intense best-of-seven championship tilt in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Ginebra shoots for an even more authoritative 3-0 lead even as the Bolts look trim their deficit as they meet once again in Game 3 at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Through two games, the Gin Kings were the side that showed championship poise in critical times, leading to this explosive 2-0 start.
Still, Ginebra coach Tim Cone, being the veteran coach that he is, knows that the series is well far from over with his team only halfway there.
“It’s still not over for sure. They still have a lot of punches to throw at us,” said Cone of the dangerous Bolts. “It’s always good to have an early lead in the series, but it doesn’t guarantee anything. There’s still a lot of work to be done.”
After a dominant victory in Game 1, Ginebra followed it up with a tougher triumph in Game 2 as it came from behind to take down Meralco, 86-76, Sunday night to carve this 2-0 lead.
Cone is still wary of the capabilities of the ailing, but very hungry Bolts.
“We beat them two in a row but they can certainly comeback. We just can’t be too happy or too pleased just yet,” said Cone.
Ginebra will once again lean on the steady plays of LA Tenorio, Justin Brownlee and Joe Devance, while hoping that Best Player of the Conference Greg Slaughter can regain his touch after having a sub-par Game 2 showing.
Meralco coach Norman Black, despite the odds that his team is facing, is still very positive and optimistic that his team still has a good chance at the championship.
“We know how it feels to be down 0-2 but at the same time, it’s still possible for us to comeback,” said Black. “We’ll be out there fighting. The series is not yet over.”
For the Bolts to be able to make it a series, two-time Best Import Allen Durham would need a lot help.
Durham continues to show why he’s the Best Import, but his teammates are still yet to find the consistency in the series.
Game Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. Ginebra vs Meralco