BARANGAY Ginebra shoots for a two-game lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals against Bay Area Dragons on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Ginebra vs Bay Area Game 4 preview
Game Four is set at 5:45 p.m.
The Gin Kings are going for a 3-1 series lead following a grind-out 89-82 win over the Dragons where they overhauled a 14-point deficit to win thanks to clutch baskets by Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo.
Focus briefly shifted off the court following Game Three in this finals series. Myles Powell and Hayden Blankley were fined P100,000 and P75,000, respectively by the Office of the Commissioner following their comments after Wednesday’s match.
Following an emotional Game Three in front of 15,004 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena, Powell said the referees were “making a difference” in the series and Blankley described Wednesday’s result as “cooked.”
But the attention will now return to the court for Friday’s game where Ginebra looks to close in on its 15th title in the league.
Despite the dramatic win, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone said momentum will only shift once a ballclub captures two straight games which they will aim in Friday’s contest.
“You don’t get one momentum by winning one game. You get momentum from winning two or three. But one game is not momentum,” said Cone.
“In fact, now, it’s their turn. Basically, we’ve been saying that. It was our turn in Game One. Their turn in Game Two. Now, it’s our turn to respond to Game Three. Now, it’s their turn to respond in Game Four. It’s how the series goes. It’s like a pingpong. Back and forth. Back and forth. And when you can get two games in a row, that’s huge. That usually means you win the series,” said Cone.
Andrew Nicholson remains a huge question mark for Game Four after the Bay Area import rolled his ankle late in Wednesday’s contest. He was taken out of the venue on a wheelchair and went straight to the hospital to get his foot checked.
The Dragons, though, will stay with Nicholson as the ballclub did not submit a notice for an import change on the eve of Game Four.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
