THE 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup finals are down to a virtual best-of-five series and protagonists Barangay Ginebra and Meralco will pounce on every opportunity to grab an edge.
With the series deadlocked at 1-1, the pivotal Game 3 of the entertaining best-of-seven titular showdown between the Gin Kings and the Bolts will break the deadlock with one team getting a vital upperhand after tonight’s 7 p.m. encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After faltering in the opening game, Barangay Ginebra was able to bounce back the last time out to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole. The Gin Kings equalized the series instead, taking Game 2 last Sunday in thrilling fashion, 82-79.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone is well aware that Meralco coach Norman Black is set to make the necessary adjustments in their next clash.
“Norman’s definitely going to figure out things to do,” said Cone. “Now the ball’s in their court and they have to make adjustments. For us, we have to dig deep and anticipate that. It’s still all tied up, this is a must win game for us.”
Following a mediocre Game 1 showing, Justin Brownlee came back stronger for Ginebra in Game 2, scoring 32 points and gathering 12 rebounds for a double-double to lead the way. Sol Mercado’s contributions on both ends of the floor, especially his defense on Best Import awardee Allen Durham, were also huge for the Gin Kings.
In fact, Mercado was the one who hit the most important basket in Game 2, scoring on a go-ahead putback that gave Ginebra an 81-79 lead in the dying seconds.
Meralco coach Norman Black feels that his team needs to do a better job on rebounding the basketball to be able to list another win.
“We lost that game on Sol Mercado’s rebound and putback. We were unable to get an important rebound and that cost us,” said Black. “We need to focus more on that aspect. We need to rebound better to win again.”
After exploding for 46 points in Game 1, Durham was limited to only 22 points by the smaller Mercado’s stingy defense.
It is interesting to see the adjustment that Black will make for Game 3 after Cone surprised him by putting a smaller guy on Durham in the rugged and physical Mercado.