GAME 7 is said to be the best two words in sports and it happens on Friday night when TNT and Barangay Ginebra battle one last time for the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup championship.
Here’s a preview of Game 7.
TNT VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Friday, March 28. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Winner take all
In a fitting end to the dramatic PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, TNT and Ginebra will battle for the crown in a Game 7. The Tropang Giga forced a winner-take-all after beating the Gin Kings, 87-83, last Friday at the Big Dome. It is going to be the 30th Game 7 in PBA Finals history. But in their third meeting in a finals series, TNT and Ginebra will play Game 7 against each other for the first time.
TNT forces Game 7 on defense
One of the reasons for TNT’s Game 6 win was defense after tallying 11 steals, three each coming from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Rey Nambatac, and Calvin Oftana. It also fueled TNT’s offense by tallying 18 points off turnovers, and 15 fastbreak points – the highest in this finals for the Tropang Giga.
Cutting down on the turnovers
With those 11 steals by TNT, Ginebra committed a lot of turnovers with 18 – its highest for this finals. Justin Brownlee uncharacteristically had the most errors with seven followed by Scottie Thompson with four.
Poy Erram steps up. Can he do it again in Game 7?
Poy Erram came out with a big bounce-back game after a controversial Game 5 where he had a spat with TNT coach Chot Reyes. Erram had 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, a clutch contribution for the Tropang Giga big man to push his team to victory. Erram later acknowledged that he is dealing with mental health issues that he will seek professional help to address it. TNT will need his presence once again in Game 7.
Scottie not in his usual form in Game 6
Thompson has been on a roll during the two consecutive wins that Ginebra pulled off in Games 4 and 5, but, by his standards, his performance dipped a little bit. Thompson only shot 4 of 11 from the field to end up with 12 points, and grabbed six rebounds, his lowest output in this finals. In Game 7, Thompson must rekindle that form again – the kalawit rebounds, the crucial baskets, and the other intangibles – to get that win for Ginebra.
Game 7 could go down to the import’s performance
Justin Brownlee has proven time and again that he delivers in big games for Ginebra when the pressure is at its highest. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been stellar for TNT all conference long on his way to his third Best Import trophy. Both imports are also battling injuries with Brownlee playing through a dislocated right thumb, and Hollis-Jefferson suffering a pulled hamstring. Game 7 could be decided by which import plays better than the other.
Who wants it more
At the end of the day, Game 7 will go down to who wants it more. Ginebra hasn’t won against TNT in their past two finals clashes. That doesn’t mean that TNT isn’t hungry to win another one, and move itself in position for a rare grand slam in the PBA.
Hold on to your seats, folks. This is going to be an exciting finish to the conference.
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