BARANGAY Ginebra and Star are set to break their deadlock as they look ahead to figure in the most important clash of their best-of-seven semifinals duel in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
The series is even at 2-2 and the two protagonists will stop at nothing to gain a crucial advantage as they play Game 5 tonight at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with the winner taking a step closer to the finals.
After Star took the first two games in close fashion to cap an eight-game winning streak, Barangay Ginebra countered by winning the series’ last two games to equalize things and make it anyone’s game at this point.
The Gin Kings played more to their pace and dictated the tempo in Games 3 and 4 to neutralize the Hotshots’ strengths and get back in the series.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone believes that his team needs to keep playing to its strengths to take yet a third straight win over Star at the most critical juncture.
“We have to continue playing our brand of basketball and be in control,” said Cone.
In Game 4 Wednesday night, that’s exactly what the Gin Kings did as they took command on their way to a 93-86 victory over the Hotshots to even the series.
“It seems like we were in control for most of the way there,” said Cone.
An unlikely hero in Jervy Cruz rose to the occasion, scoring a game-high 21 points to lead Ginebra as it took advantage of the attention that LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar got from the Star defense.
Another key for Ginebra was its defense on Star’s spitfire Paul Lee, who was limited to only nine points.
Cone credited Sol Mercado’s determined defense on Lee.
“Sol (Mercado) did a great job on Paul (Lee). Paul is a dynamic scorer but Sol is a dynamic defender too.”