BARANGAY Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua disagreed with TNT’s sentiments that the Tropang Giga are the underdogs in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
But regardless of the result of the championship salvo, Chua said the match-up between the Gin Kings and the Tropang Giga will be fun to watch.
Game One of the best-of-seven series is set on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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The prevailing sentiment for some is that TNT will have the arduous task of overcoming Ginebra this time with the injury to Jayson Castro and the arrival of Troy Rosario as well as the return of Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray in the Kings' camp.
TNT team governor Ricky Vargas was vocal in saying the Tropang Giga will be the underdog in the finals in the absence of Castro, but Chua insisted TNT’s experience in playoffs and in international play is crucial.
“Mabigat din kalaban talaga,” said Chua to SPIN.ph. “Puro beterano. Sabi nga nila, national team daw sa amin. Sa kanila ang original na national team. Si Rondae, national player din.”
Chua was of course referring to TNT’s current and former Gilas players Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Poy Erram, and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who is a naturalized player of Jordan.
Speaking of Gilas, the finals will see the grudge match on the sidelines between Tim Cone and Chot Reyes, the current and former national coach.
Rosario, Malonzo and Gray have added considerable depth to Ginebra's lineup but Chua was quick to downplay it, saying that Malonzo and Gray are still not 100 percent healthy while Rosario suffered an ankle sprain in the semifinal series against NorthPort.
“Si Jamie, actually mga 70 percent pa lang. Si Troy, dagdag nga sa amin, napilay naman. Sana makalaro pagdating (ng Game 1). Sa kanila, malaking bagay talaga na wala si Jayson, pero marami silang experienced players. Si Pogoy at Oftana, parehong mabigat silang dalawa and of course, Rondae,” said Chua.
The concurrent PBA vice chairman, however, is sure that the finals series between Barangay Ginebra and TNT is a must-watch.
“Itong laro na ‘to, hindi bara-bara. Meaning, talagang puro scientific ‘yung mga coaches natin, tapos mga players din. Ako tingin ko, hindi sa eagerness na kung sino [mananalo], ‘yung execution sa kanila at kung sino ang may poise,” said Chua.
Chua has reminded his players to let the game come to them.
“Sabi ko, laruin lang nila ‘yung laro nila,” Chua said. “Magandang championship ito kasi bakbakan talaga."
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